The Director of Communications for the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF), Dr. Ademola Olajire, has revealed an in depth account of how the extremely anticipated AFCON 2025 qualifier between the Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria and Libya was derailed attributable to gross mistreatment by Libyan authorities. The NFF’s account sheds mild on the occasions that led to the cancellation of the fixture, following a chaotic and hostile reception in Libya.
In accordance with Olajire, the Tremendous Eagles left Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet plane on Sunday, thirteenth October 2024, making a short cease in Kano to finish immigration formalities and refuel. The flight departed Kano at 15:18 hours and was scheduled to land in Benghazi, Libya, at roughly 8:00 pm native time. Nevertheless, occasions took a disastrous flip when the Libyan management tower instructed the Nigerian plane to divert to Al-Abraq Worldwide Airport within the small city of Labraq, regardless of the aircraft being low on gasoline and missing touchdown assist on the new vacation spot.
Upon touchdown at 19:50 hours, the delegation shortly realized that Al-Abraq Worldwide Airport was poorly geared up, missing fundamental amenities corresponding to scanning machines, which have been substituted with cell phones for scanning passport knowledge. The delegation, which included 22 gamers, crew officers, NFF dignitaries, and media representatives, was met with curt and hostile remedy from the airport workers. The scenario worsened as there have been no autos to move the crew to Benghazi, regardless of the NFF having already booked resort rooms.
Repeated calls to Libyan Soccer Federation (LFF) officers, together with Common Secretary Mr. Abdul-Nasser, proved futile as guarantees of transport have been repeatedly delayed and finally ignored. Because the night time progressed, the delegation was left stranded with out meals, water, or entry to the web, with mounting frustrations amongst gamers and officers.
The NFF later discovered that Libyan officers had been instructed by “increased authorities” to intentionally delay the Nigerian crew as a retaliatory measure for perceived mistreatment of their crew throughout the first leg in Nigeria. The NFF refuted these claims, highlighting that the Libyan crew had opted to journey by highway from Port Harcourt to Uyo regardless of recommendation to keep away from night time journey, and had been supplied with safety and coaching amenities upon their arrival.
NFF President Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau expressed disappointment, labeling the scenario as despicable and opposite to the spirit of soccer, which is supposed to foster unity and goodwill amongst nations.
The cruel circumstances took a toll on the Tremendous Eagles gamers, with Captain William Troost-Ekong assembly with the NFF officers at 2:00 am to tell them that the crew couldn’t proceed with the match attributable to fatigue, dehydration, and sickness. The gamers had suffered trauma from the lengthy wait with out meals or water, and a few had fallen ailing consequently.
In response to the ordeal, the NFF dispatched a proper criticism to CAF, offering detailed proof of the Libyan authorities’ actions and requesting that the match be cancelled and applicable sanctions imposed on Libya. The NFF additionally highlighted the shortage of assist from Libyan soccer officers all through all the course of.
At dawn, the crew acquired a small quantity of meals from the Nigerian neighborhood in Jap Libya, however it was finally determined that the Tremendous Eagles wouldn’t proceed with the match. The crew departed Al-Abraq Airport later that afternoon, returning to Nigeria to await CAF’s resolution on the unplayed match.
The NFF has strongly condemned the Libyan authorities’ conduct and expressed hope that CAF will take decisive motion in response to the mistreatment
