Fulham head coach, Marco Silva, has revealed Super Eagles duo, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, are in line to play his side’s game against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa this afternoon, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian duo featured in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before travelling to Libya for the second leg of the clash, but things turned sour.
A redirected flight to an airport 300km away from their intended destination, and a terminal hostage situation saw the Fulham duo, alongside their national teammates stay without food and internet for over fourteen hours.
The pair have now returned to their club side, and their coach confirmed they’re in a good frame of mind to play against Villa at Craven cottage. Speaking about Libya’s treatment of the Nigerian Football team and staff in his pre-match presser, the Portuguese coach said;
“It’s another example of mixed feelings and balance because when the players go to their national teams to play for their countries, to be proud of that moment, we all expect, firstly, that they come in healthy to play the next match for us. Secondly that they can perform at a good level, to help them, and to keep their fitness, their momentum as well.
For sure, it was not a moment that Calvin, Alex and their teammates enjoyed for sure [at Libya]. It’s not something professional, it’s not something normal. It’s not something that should be involved in football, to be honest.
They are back again with us. The first two days were tough for them to recover from everything but they are going to be ready [for the Aston Villa clash] for sure.”
Fulham are currently 8th on the English Premier League table, with eleven points from seven games. Their game against Villa kicks off by 3:00 PM WAT.
