S’Africa arrive Uyo for Eagles game — after being stranded at PH airport

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa have landed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualification match against Nigeria on Friday. 

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medalists arrived at the Victor Attah International Airport in the city on Thursday morning.

The South African contingent was greeted by a downpour as they offloaded their baggage and headed to their hotel.

The Bafana Bafana’s arrival came a few hours after the team announced that the players had reached Nigeria on Wednesday evening but were stranded at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

In a tweet on the team’s X account, South Africa claimed the team had been “on the road for 18 hours” and could not get a connecting flight out of Port Harcourt, Rivers.

The post added that “Uyo airport had closed by the time the team was scheduled to take off”.

“Bafana Bafana have been on the road for 18 hours and still not at base in Nigeria,” the tweet reads.

“The team is currently at Port Harcourt Airport, where they cleared customs, awaiting transfer to the hotel to spend the night. Uyo airport had closed by the time the team was scheduled to take off.”

The Super Eagles also experienced disruption in their preparation for the match after five players were stranded in Lagos and Abuja due to the organised labour strike.

On June 3, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on the strike after negotiations with the federal government on a new minimum wage hit a roadblock.

The industrial action paralysed economic and government activities nationwide for two days.

The aviation workers’ union also adhered to the strike, which hindered airport operations and disrupted domestic flights.

However, the labour union called off the strike on Tuesday, and activities have resumed nationwide.

The Bafana Bafana are expected to have a training session at 8 pm.

Nigeria will play South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on June 7 before flying to Abidjan to tackle Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny three days later.

Photos from Bafana Bafana’s arrival below: