Iran Conflict Leaves Former Super Eagles Star Stranded in Dubai

Iran Conflict Leaves Former Super Eagles Star Stranded in Dubai

By Admin 

Former Nigeria national football team winger Victor Moses has been left stranded in Dubai after escalating tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran disrupted air travel across parts of the Middle East, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Moses’ club, FC Kaisar, confirmed that the Nigerian forward and compatriot Imoh Ezekiel were both absent from the squad that opened the Kazakhstan Premier League season against FK Zhenys on March 8 due to the travel complications.

The 35-year-old had been preparing to return to Kazakhstan to join his new teammates when a rocket reportedly landed near an airport in the region, prompting authorities to close surrounding airspace and suspend several flights, including routes heading towards Kazakhstan.

The disruption has prevented Moses from leaving Dubai and linking up with his team ahead of the new league campaign.

FC Kaisar head coach Andrey Ferapontov said the club was closely monitoring the situation while awaiting the arrival of the Nigerian players.

“We’re expecting two more foreign players. You’re probably familiar with the situation with Moses and Ezekiel,” Ferapontov said in comments reported by Vesti.

“For various reasons, they couldn’t make it to the championship. Moses can’t fly out of Dubai due to the political situation.

“We’re waiting for him. When they rejoin, we’ll have a full squad and we’ll have a good idea of their fitness.”

Moses joined FC Kaisar in January on a one-year contract following his departure from Luton Town F.C., extending a professional career that has spanned more than a decade across Europe.

He began his senior career at Crystal Palace F.C. before moving to Wigan Athletic F.C., later signing for Chelsea F.C. in 2012. During his time with Chelsea, Moses won the Premier League title in the 2016–17 season.

The winger also enjoyed loan spells with Liverpool F.C., Stoke City F.C., and West Ham United F.C., while playing abroad for Fenerbahçe S.K., Inter Milan, and Spartak Moscow.

At international level, Moses earned 38 caps for Nigeria between 2012 and 2018, scoring 12 goals and playing a key role in the country’s triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

His compatriot Ezekiel, who was part of Nigeria’s squad that won bronze at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, is also expected to join FC Kaisar after leaving KF Pogradeci.

FC Kaisar, based in Kyzylorda, are among the founding members of the Kazakhstan Premier League and are hopeful the arrival of the experienced Nigerian players will strengthen the squad once the travel situation stabilises.