The Super Eagles of Nigeria have safely returned home after enduring hours of mistreatment at a Libyan airport ahead of their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The Nigerian national football team, along with their officials, landed at Aminu Kano International Airport late on Monday, following an ordeal at Al Abaq Airport in Libya that saw them stranded for over 13 hours.
The team had arrived in Libya on Sunday for a match against the Libyan national team, initially set to take place in Benina on Tuesday. However, after their flight was diverted from Benghazi, they were subjected to harsh conditions, including being denied access to food and adequate rest. Images of the players sleeping on benches spread across social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
In response to the situation, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) decided to withdraw the Super Eagles from the match, citing concerns over the players’ safety and well-being. The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, described the incident as an “almost hostage situation” and stressed that the team could not continue with the match due to the psychological trauma they faced.
“Given the events of the past hours, the safety of our national team cannot be guaranteed,” Enoh said. “The team has made it clear that they cannot proceed with the match due to the fear for their safety.”
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong shared his thoughts on social media after the team’s return, expressing pride in their resilience. “Back home safe and sound. Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken,” he wrote. “This experience has brought us even closer together.”
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied allegations of deliberate mistreatment, stating that the delay was caused by logistical challenges and not intentional actions. They also noted that their team faced a similar situation during the first leg of the match in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that it will investigate the incident, vowing to take appropriate action against any violations of CAF statutes and regulations.
The incident has raised concerns about player safety in international competitions, and CAF’s investigation is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the Super Eagles’ ordeal in Libya.
Be First to Comment