The Federal Government has condemned Libya for the shabby treatment meted out to the Super Eagles ahead of its second leg tie fixed for Tuesday in the country.
The Minister of Sports, John Enoh via his official X handle, @OwanEnoh, on Monday, said the matter been reported to all necessary authorities, adding that the focus was the safety of the senior men’s team.
“All through the night, I have escalated the matter and involved all necessary authorities. From the Foreign Affairs Minister, the National Security Adviser, the DG NIA, Amaju Pinnick, our CAF Executive member. I have also remained in touch with both the president of the NFF, who is on the ground with the team and the Chairman of Valujet, owners of the plane that airlifted the team to Libya.
“All hands must be on deck to protect our National Team. The Team have succinctly stated that they have been unattended for upwards of about 15 hrs since arrival, with no food, no accommodation, left in a mosquito-infested environment and cordoned off by Libyan security not to step out of the airport, and they have access to nothing. To say the least, they face an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sportsmen set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday!
“For now, our primary concern is the safety of the members of our national team. With the events of the past hours, their safety is not guaranteed, and the team insists they’re unable to go ahead with the match not just because of the trauma and consequent psychological torture but also because of fear for their safety.
The minister said he has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President to formally complain to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take action on the matter.
He said, “I have instructed the NFF president to lay a formal complaint to CAF without prejudice to any actions already taken. This must be on record and thoroughly addressed. This morning, I was on a conference call with the CAF President and CAF Secretary General.
“While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team to 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.
“This cannot be done by insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match, given the very obvious situation. I strongly condemn the obnoxious treatment meted out to players and officials of the Senior National Team, the Super Eagles, who arrived in Libya yesterday, the 13th of October, for the reverse version of the match played on Friday in Uyo, the AFCON 2025 Group D qualifiers.
“The national team was en route to Benghazi but was diverted on approach the airport with very scant attention to their safety), to Al Abaq Airport, which is hours away from Benghazi, where their match is slated to take place.”
“The team have succinctly stated that they have been unattended to for upwards of about 15 hrs since arrival, with no food, no accommodation, left in a mosquito-infested environment and cordoned off by Libyan security not to step out of the airport, and they have access to nothing.
“To say the least, they face an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sportsmen set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday! For now, our primary concern is the safety of the members of our national team.”
The Nigerian contingent, who were billed to land in Benghazi for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday, was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.
The unexpected diversion left the players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.
