The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed frustration with the situation of the Nigerian Super Eagles after the Libyan Authorities allegedly held the super eagles hostage ahead of the heir 2025 AFCON qualifying match.
She noted that the act by the authorities was appalling and condemnable and violated the the protocols that exist diplomatically. She urged that there should be an immediate intervention inorder to ensure the safety and dignity of the players.
She made the condemnation in a post published on X by the NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun. She expressed her frustration with the situation which had let the players to spend hours at the Airport.
It was reported that the Super Eagles had left Nigeria on Sunday with their flight allegedly unexpectedly inverted to a remote airport far from the match venue, which led to an additional three-hour road journey to their destination.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed that the decision poses a big threat to the lives of the players, which should not be allowed. She continued by stating that the team members should not be allowed to go through such treatment especially when competing internationally, she charged the Confederation of African Football to take an action against the treatment of the players.
She noted that the country expects a thorough handling of the situation by the officials of CAF to prevent same kind of situation in the future.
It was disclosed that the players, pilots, and other personnel were stranded at the Libyan airport for over 13 hours without access to necessities like food, water, or even a place to rest.
She disclosed that the authorities in the country had earlier arranged to host the players for the return leg. Still, according to the contrary arrangement, she alleged that the players were held for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason, and the authorities frustrated efforts by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to make alternative provisions.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that the Libyan authorities had made no adequate arrangements to accommodate the team despite prior confirmation.
She further charged the public to remain calm while she called on the eagles to remain calm and focused while the NFF and Nigerian government decided on the next action.
The holding of the players at the airport has sparked reactions only with supporters and players calling for a better treatment of players it was also disclosed that the players had agreed unanimously to boycut the games.
At lunchtime, It was reported that the players had been cleared to fly back to Nigeria without participating in the games. It is still unclear what the actions of CAF will be after the alleged maltreatment.
