Turkish club block Benin midfielder of Nigerian descent Olaitan from flying to Rwanda

Goztepe midfielder Junior Olaitan has been blocked from reporting for international duty by his Turkish club ahead of Benin's World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria.

Born in Porto-Novo to a Beninese mother and Nigerian father, Olaitan was eligible to represent the Super Eagles but chose to commit his international future to the Cheetahs, despite growing up in Nigeria.

Although he has been nursing an injury that sidelined him for Göztepe's last two Super Lig matches, Benin coach Gernot Rohr still included the 23-year-old in his squad for the qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria.

According to Mega Sports, Olaitan was detained by Goztepe officials at Istanbul Airport as he attempted to leave the city secretly, without the club's permission.

The Cheetahs medical team had planned to conduct an MRI scan to assess his condition and confirm his availability for the fixtures, but Göztepe prevented him from flying to Kigali.

Although Goztepe are obligated under Fifa regulations to release Oliatain to the Benin Football Federation, they are also within their rights to block him from travelling to Rwanda if medical assessments confirm he is not fit to play.

Goztepe's refusal to release him has reportedly strained relations with the Benin Football Federation.

Olaitan has become a key figure under Gernot Rohr, starting the Cheetahs' last eighteen competitive matches.

During that run, he has faced Nigeria three times, including the 1-1 draw at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where his assist helped secure Benin's qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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