A former official of the Benin Football Federation has warned against the Super Eagles embarking on a “risky” boat trip to Porto Novo for an AFCON qualifier later this month, suggesting that a bus ride through the border town of Idiroko would be a far better option.
Several Super Eagles star have already expressed concerns over the boat trip, but top officials have insisted it is the most convenient way to get to Porto-Novo.
The Benin official told SCORENigeria: “I have been involved in logistics for the federation in Benin and yes the road through Seme is not good now, but it will be too risky to come by boat to Benin.
“Your players are all professionals and I don’t think their foreign clubs will be happy for them to travel by boat.”
He suggested that the Eagles travel to Benin on their team bus through the border town of Idiroko instead.
“They could spend a night at the Gateway Hotel in Abeokuta and from there go through Idiroko and into Benin,” he proposed.
“The road is good, there isn’t much traffic and the trip will be about three hours using their big team bus.”
The Benin Insider added a further warning: “And when in Benin, they should only use their own bus.
“The bus Benin federation will give them for the team they should give it to the journalists from Nigeria who will cover the match.”
The Super Eagles take on Benin in a 2021 AFCON qualifier in Porto-Novo on March 27.
They are expected to travel to Benin on March 25.
Nigeria lead the qualifying group with eight points from four matches, Benin are a point behind with Sierra Leone third on three points.
The top two teams will advance to the AFCON in Cameroon next year.
