The Norwegian government had to come to the rescue of Chuks Akabueze or he would have been unavailable for selection in Odd Grenland’s Europa League first round qualifying tie against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night.

The former Flying Eagles winger traveled to Moldova with his Norwegian residence permit but was not allowed entry into the country because he did not have a valid visa.

The Norwegian government had to contact its embassy in Bucharest before Bentley was issued an entry permit.

There was no way Bentley would have been issued the visa in Norway as it takes a minimum of 14 days to process.

Bentley is now at his team’s hotel after spending the night at the departure hall of the airport, according to Odd Grenland’s Facebook page.

It would be recalled that Akeem Latifu missed Hodd’s Europa League second round qualifying fixture against FC Aktobe two years ago because he was refused a visa.