Nigeria's Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, has strongly criticized Libyan authorities for detaining the Super Eagles squad and their officials at Al Abraq Airport. The incident occurred after the team’s chartered aircraft, initially heading to Benghazi, was unexpectedly diverted to a different city, about a two-hour drive from their original destination, just an hour before landing.
This diversion left the Nigerian team and officials stranded at the airport with no assistance or support from the Libyan authorities, prompting the Sports Minister to express his outrage.
In a statement, Senator Enoh condemned the Libyan authorities for their poor treatment of the Super Eagles, calling it disrespectful and unacceptable. He assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Sports Development is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe and immediate release of the team.
The Minister emphasized that Nigerian officials have been in touch with the appropriate authorities, including the Foreign Affairs Minister, National Security Adviser, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He also mentioned that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and the Chairman of ValueJet, the airline that transported the team, are actively involved in resolving the situation.
According to Enoh, the Super Eagles have been stranded at the airport for over 15 hours, with no food, accommodation, or basic amenities, while being held in a mosquito-infested environment under heavy security. The team was restricted from leaving the airport premises and faced what Enoh described as an "almost hostage" situation.
The Minister stressed that the immediate concern is the safety and well-being of the national team members. He revealed that the players have decided not to proceed with the scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match against Libya due to the trauma and psychological stress they have endured, coupled with concerns about their safety.
Enoh has instructed the NFF to file a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the incident. While CAF seems focused on ensuring the match proceeds, Enoh made it clear that Nigeria's priority is the safety of the team and their return home, calling for serious consequences for the Libyan Football Federation over this mistreatment.
The Super Eagles defeated Libya 1-0 in their previous AFCON 2025 Group D qualifier match held in Uyo, Nigeria, and were scheduled to play the return leg in Libya on October 15. However, the current situation has raised doubts about whether the match will go ahead.
Enoh also expressed gratitude to team captain William Troost-Ekong for his effective communication throughout the ordeal.
No comments:
Post a Comment