The Confederation Africaine de Football , CAF views the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) at an airport in Libya in a very serious light
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.
The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.
Meanwhile,the Federal Government, on Monday, summoned the Libyan Charge d’Affaires in Abuja over the alleged mistreatment of the Super Eagles players and officials during their stay in Libya for the AFCON qualifiers.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuga, disclosed this to journalists after meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The CAF, has referred the fiasco to its disciplinary board for investigation. It said appropriate action would be taken against “those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
On the summons, Tuga described the situation in Libya as unfortunate. He added that Nigerian officials from the country’s mission in Libya have been dispatched to engage with the Super Eagles delegation.
He said: “Well, it’s the most unfortunate situation because the Super Eagles flew to Libya to play a match. As you know, the Libyan team was here (last week).
“They were supposed to land in Uyo. Instead, they landed in Port Harcourt. And now our team has gone to Libya, and somehow the plane gets diverted to a different airport.”
Nigeria Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh-JOE condemns the actions of Libyan authorities, holding hostage the Super Eagles and Officials at Al Abaq Airport. According to him,
“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.
The National Team was en route 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.
All through the night,I have escalated the matter and involved all necessary authorities .From the Foreign Affairs Minister ,the National Security Advicer,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 ground with the team and the Chairman of Value Jet,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 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 sports men 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.
As Sports Minister, 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 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. This can not be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation.
Let me thank the team captain William Troost-Ekong for being hands-on and communicating very efficiently and effectively on the facts of the matter as it concerns our national team in Libya.”
Also, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has condemned the treatment meted out to Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country.
She noted that travelling by road in Libya is most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country.
The team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for their return match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue of the match.
The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya , considering the situation of the war-torn country.
Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country, and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advice appropriately.
She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Already, the players, the pilots and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest and other means of communication.
“The team were delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason”
The Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday and they were required to travel by road to their destination.
However, there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities and all efforts to make alternative provisions by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was frustrated.
Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm why the Nigerian Football Federation will decide the next line of action.
