The Nigerian men’s national team, Super Eagles have arrived at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State after their unfortunate ordeal and ‘night in prison’ at the Al-Abaq airport in Libya ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations group D qualifier earlier scheduled to hold in Benina on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
It would be recalled that the Super Eagles, who departed Nigeria for Benghazi on Sunday, had their flight unexpectedly diverted away from its original location in Benghazi whilst descending, to Al Abaq; an abandoned airport only used for hajj operations, situated miles away from the initial match venue, resulting to the contingent being stranded at the Al-Abaq Airport for several hours, and made to spend the entire night inside the departure lounge of the Airport.
The contingent which included the players, and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were subjected to inhumane treatment and hostility upon arrival in the North African country by the country’s authorities who had complicated means of communication and transportation including resisting access to food, water, a place to rest amongst other basic amenities.
The team captain, William Troot Ekong who had narrated the unfortunate experience in a series of post on his official X handle announced the team’s intention to boycott the game while calling on both Nigerian government and Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to intervene and properly investigate the maltreatment of the team.
“The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.” Ekong posted.
“As the captain, together with the team we have decided that we will not play this game,” the centre-back added.
LFF reacts, denies foul play
While addressing the issue, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) in a statement issued as a response to the allegations attributed the circumstances behind the diversion of flight and extended delay at Al-Abraq International Airport to routine air traffic and logistical challenges rather than deliberate sabotage or foul play, emphasizing that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight was not intended as a hostile act.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the LFF of deliberately orchestrating this incident,” the statement reads.
“Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles. We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.” The statement added.
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Meanwhile the situation followed Libya’s complaints of alleged hostile treatment during their visit to Nigeria for the reverse fixture in Uyo last Friday. It started after the Libya national team booked a flight to port harcourt instead of Uyo and communicated their schedule to NFF two hours before arriving Nigeria. As a result, the NFF made another arrangement to get them a flight to Uyo but the Libyan team reportedly jettisoned the plan apparently because of extra costs and settled for vehicles to travel to Uyo by road, which according to the Libyan team captain, Faizal Al-Badri was maltreatment from their host.
“We were delayed in transportation from one city to another for three hours even though we traveled on a private place” he said
“After a long time, three non-air conditioned mini buses and a police car arrived in addition to two cars from the Libyan embassy” Faizal added
CAF Statement
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed deep concern over the troubling ordeal faced by the Super Eagles in Al Abarq airport, stressing that The incident is now under investigation by Its Disciplinary Board.
The CAF statement added that “the matter has been referred to its disciplinary board for investigation and action will be taken against those who violated the CAF statutes and regulations.”
LFF President resigns
Amidst the growing tension surrounding the treatment of the super eagles in Libya, the President of the Libyan Football Federation, (LFF) Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani has reportedly resigned from his position.
According to The Libya Observer, an English and Arabic online newspaper based in Tripoli, Al-Shalmani stepped down from his position during a regular meeting of the Federation’s General Assembly on Sunday.
“I do not want to be part of the failure in Libya sports.” Al-Shalmani said.
Tinubu seeks CAF accountability, calls for thorough investigation
As the Super Eagles finally returned to the Nation’s Capital, Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation into the unfortunate incident.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said he was moved by the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles players and officials in Libya while commending the players for keeping their spirits alive despite the excruciating ordeal.
The statement added, “President Tinubu expects the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organization’s Statutes and Regulations.
The harrowing experience of the super eagles at the hands of Libyan authorities prompted the NFF to withdraw the team from the scheduled qualifying match as they finally arrived in Kano on a chartered ValueJet aircraft on Monday evening before moving to the Nnamdi Azikwe international airport at the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Nigeria won the first leg 1-0 last Friday, courtesy of the on-loan Lazio attacking midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s 85th minute strike at the Godswill Akpabio international Stadium in Uyo, making the super eagles top the group with seven points while Libya on the brink of elimination with one point sits at the bottom of the table.
