The Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, has urged Nigeria to proceed with their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya in Benghazi, despite growing safety concerns following a string of events that left the Super Eagles stranded, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian national football team was en route to Libya for Tuesday’s crucial fixture, but their flight was diverted mid-air to Al Abraq, a small airport mainly used for hajj operations.
The diversion left the Super Eagles stranded without immediate support from Libyan authorities.
To make matters worse, the Libyan Football Federation failed to provide transport to Benghazi, exacerbating the situation.
With minimal assistance provided, the Nigerian team only received internet access and essential supplies by early Monday morning.
In response to what they described as ‘threats to life and hostilities', the Super Eagles players, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, decided to withdraw from the match.
“The players made this resolution because of the threat to their lives and hostilities of the host country since they landed,” Troost-Ekong said.
Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Owan Enoh has on Monday confirmed that CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba had urged Nigeria to continue with the match.
However, Enoh rejected the request.
“This morning I was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General,” Senator Enoh said.
“While the CAF President's concern seems to be what to do to get the national team to 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.”
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.
— Senator John Owan Enoh (@OwanEnoh) October 14, 2024
The National… pic.twitter.com/jtF4hNgpo4
Nigeria currently top Group D with seven points after three games, while Libya are in rock bottom with one point.
This is despicable . The Libyan FA must be sanctioned and should play their remaining matches in a neutral country. They have the right to choose whatever stadia they wanted to play but to divert an aircraft at short notice and then holding the players hostage is against the spirit of the Game. This is not war . If this was a western team eg USA the marines would have landed at that airport and taken their players home . Libya has embarrassed the continent and brought shame on themselves – we await the findings of CaF and if necessary FIFA
I see a lot of Nigerians up in arms with the Libyans which is very despicable! Libyans will never support Nigeria against their government! Nigerians should get their facts right before commenting on issues! It’s quite unfortunate that most Nigerians rush to comment section without really confirming what they are fed as news! Was it Nigeria control tower at Akwa Ibom Airport that asked their pilot to divert the plane to Port Harcourt? There’s clear evidence that their pilot admitted to the mistake! Forget about the fact that most of us are venting our anger on those in power, however, we should not when to draw the line! If you’ve lived amongst Libyans, most of you will not take up arms on their behalf! I wonder those supporting the Libyans know what their club side did to Eyimba and was it Rivers United!?