Serious concerns have emerged regarding the safety and well-being of Nigerian footballers based in Israel, as militants attacked the country early on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.
With at least 18 Nigerian footballers actively participating in various league divisions in Israel, the recent escalation in violence, with Hamas militants firing thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel, has raised alarm.
Among those potentially affected are Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye and midfielder John Ogu, who play for Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa, respectively.
Adeleye is scheduled to feature in the Super Eagles squad set to play two international friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique next week.
Ogu, a bronze medal-winning member of the Super Eagles squad in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, was not selected for these games.
As of now, the immediate impact of the escalating crisis on the Nigerian players in Israel remains uncertain.
However, there is a looming concern that the situation could deteriorate rapidly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unequivocally declared that “Israel is at war” in the wake of a surprise early morning attack from Gaza that tragically claimed the lives of at least 22 people.
The Israel Defense Forces have reported ongoing battles at multiple locations, with some residents in Israel claiming that militants have attempted to break into their homes.
Hamas has asserted that it has captured several Israeli soldiers near the border following the infiltration of its militants into Israel by land, sea, and air, even employing paragliders.
The timing of this assault, occurring on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 War, in which Arab states launched an offensive against Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, adds to the gravity of the situation.