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Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is one of eight players unable to join Nigeria‘s training camp in preparation for the first of two FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures this month.
Lookman, who recently scored a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the UEFA Europe League final; goalkeeper Maduka Okoye; and outfield players Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Paul Onuachu have all arrived in Nigeria but are unable to reach the team camp in Uyo “because of the ongoing Nigeria Labour Congress strike that has stalled domestic flights”, Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe said.
Nigeria’s organised labour called a nationwide strike after failed negotiations with the government to raise the federal monthly minimum wage from N30 000 ($US20) to more than N400 000 ($US269).
The absence of the players is a major headache for head coach Finidi George as he prepares the team for the fixture against South Africa, with African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella having already withdrawn from the squad.
Osimhen is out for four weeks with an injury, and has been replaced by Enugu Rangers left-back Kenneth Igbokwe.
Tella is reported to have excused himself due to family reasons. He has been replaced in the squad by Caykur Rizespor‘s Ibrahim Olawoyin.
The remainder of the squad — 15 players — trained for the first time on Monday morning at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
