Players and officials of Sunshine Stars International Football Club of Akure, who were scheduled to depart Bamako, Mali this morning are trapped in Bamako, capital city of Mali, following renewed clashes between rebels and government forces.
It is recalled that Sunshine Stars were forced to 1-1 draw by their hosts, Djoliba FC in Bamako on Saturday in the first leg, second round match of the CAF Champions League.
The first batch of players and officials arrived Nigeria on Monday around 3pm, with the second batch, made up of Ondo State Football Agency Chairman, Segun Adagunodo, and Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Houandinou Valere Revelino.
The six players of the Nigerian flag bearers in the CAF Champions League stranded in Bamako are Akombo Ukeyima, Ofem Inah, Alaba Adeniyi, Cameroonian Isaac Helehele, Ekundayo Ojo, and goalkeeper Segun Oluwaniyi.
Two sports journalists who travelled with the team, Tunde Shamsudeen and Samuel Odeyemi, the Ondo SWAN Vice-Chairman, are among those still in Bamako.
It is uncertain when the team will leave for Nigeria due to sporadic shootings around the Aeroport International, Bamako.
According to our source, most of the foreign airlines have suspended flights due to threat by rebels.
Players and officials of Egypt’s Al-Ahly are also trapped in the crisis-ridden country as the team could not depart Bamako also on Monday night as scheduled.