Super Eagles Coach Augustine Eguavoen has described the teams ordeal in Libya, where they were “held hostage” at the airport by Libyan authorities as traumatic for everyone involved, stating, “We all know how football can unify nations, can unify people, and for Libyans to act in that manner was a bit strange to me.”
The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team, safely returned home Monday evening following a troubling experience in Libya ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Eguavoen thanked the Nigerian federal government for its swift intervention, stating, “A big thanks to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the quick intervention, especially the Minister of Sports.”
“CAF definitely will look into it. We have enough evidence. I think CAF will be fair,” he added.
The ordeal began as the Nigerian team, en route to Benghazi for the return leg of their AFCON 2025 qualifier against Libya, had their chartered flight diverted an hour before landing. The players were forced to land at Al Abraq International Airport, an airport mainly used for hajj operations, rather than their intended destination.
The Super Eagles were left stranded at the airport with minimal food. “There is no way we would have played under those circumstances,” Eguavoen stated.
Former Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Amaju Pinnick, also weighed in on the situation in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, revealing the efforts made to resolve the issue. Pinnick explained that despite assurances from the CAF general secretary that everything was fine, the Libyan government’s actions made it clear that they intended to frustrate the Nigerian team.
“They wanted to do everything humanly, materially, spiritually possible to ensure that, even if they got on that pitch, mentally, they will not be able to play,” he expressed.
Pinnick added that after a three-way call with CAF President Patrice Motsepe and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, the decision was made to prioritize the team’s safety.
“We took the right decision at that time. We have a very solid case,” he added.
Minister of Sports, John Enoh, expressed gratitude for the team’s safe return, emphasizing that the safety of the players was the top priority.
“The entire country has been awake since last night, urging and praying that they come back safely,” Enoh said during a press briefing on Monday evening. “What was important was their safe return. Nothing else mattered to the president and to the people of Nigeria.”
CAF has since expressed deep concern over the situation and has initiated an investigation through its Disciplinary Board. The Confederation is currently engaging both Libyan and Nigerian authorities to determine what led to the distressing conditions faced by the Super Eagles.
The Nigerian delegation, consisting of players and officials, arrived safely in Kano on Monday evening and prepared for connecting flights to Abuja and Lagos, allowing the players to rejoin their clubs in Europe and Africa.
Follow us on:
