Super Eagles players and officials have returned safely to the country, following a harrowing experience in Libya. Their return brings an end to a 24-hour ordeal in the North African country.
The Nigerian delegation landed at the international airport in Kano on Monday evening. After they were cleared by immigration, the team prepared for connecting flights to Abuja and Lagos, from where the players would travel back to their respective clubs in Europe.
The Eagles, who left Nigeria on Sunday morning, were stranded for over 15 hours at La Abraq Airport in Libya, where their plane was redirected to from its initial landing airfield in Benghazi, the venue of the supposed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying game return leg.
The unexpected diversion to the remote airport caused significant distress, with the players left without food, drink, or internet access. The players were forced to sleep on steel chairs at the airport.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong had shared images online showing the team’s difficult situation at La Abraq Airport, which the players described as akin to a “hostage situation.”
The Minister of Sports Development Senayor John Enoh revealed in a tweet that he had spoken to necessary government agencies, as well as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe and Secretary-General of the body, Veron Mosengo-Omba, over the safe return return of the Nigerian team as opposed to the continental football body’s drive to persuade the players to play the game.
“This morning i was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General.While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team participate in tomorrow’s match, i have instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first, the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.There must be a serious adverse conseqùence to the Libyan football federation for this unspeakable behaviour,” he wrote on X.
“This can not be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation.I strongly condemn the obnoxious treatment meted on players and officials of the Senior National Team,the Super Eagles who arrived Libya, yesterday the 13th of October for the reverse version of the match played on Friday in Uyo, the AFCON 2025 Group D qualifiers.”
In a later response, CAF said it has launched an investigation, with the case referred to its Disciplinary Board.
“The matter has been referred for investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those found in violation of CAF statutes and regulations.”
The Super Eagles’ ordeal has drawn widespread attention, and CAF has assured that corrective measures will be enforced once the investigation concludes.
Up next for Nigeria will be another AFCON qualifiers in November, but not against Libya.
