President Bola Tinubu has expressed relief at the safe return of the Super Eagles to Nigeriawhile voicing his deep concern over the inhumane treatment the team faced at a Libyan airport.
The New Daily Prime reported that Libyan officials detained the Super Eagles at Al Abraq Airport for over 12 hours upon their arrival, leading to the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) withdrawal of the team from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
In a statement issued on Monday by the NFF Communications Department, it was revealed that the team was left stranded and unattended at the airport.
The Super Eagles had departed Nigeria on Sunday morning, prepared for their AFCON matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights.
Originally, Libya was set to host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi. However, reports indicated that the team was diverted to a different city, further complicating logistics.
President Tinubu, through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a comprehensive investigation and recommend suitable sanctions against those responsible for the blatant violation of the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations.
He commended the swift and effective coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in handling the regrettable incident, ensuring the safe return of the Nigerian players.
The President praised the resilience and unwavering spirit of the players, who endured a difficult ordeal in Libya but remained steadfast in their commitment to the sport.
Recognising football’s unique ability to unite people and nations, Tinubu condemned the unsportsmanlike and inhumane treatment of Nigerian players, which he views as a gross departure from the values of the game he holds dear.
He called on all football enthusiasts and administrators to come together in solidarity to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, ensuring that the integrity and spirit of the sport are upheld.
