The unfortunate illhealth treatment: Regretfully, this is not the first time and it won’t be the last. African football is full with unsettling stories. What the Super Eagles of Nigeria went through in Libya on October 12 and 13 is just one of them.
Libyan authorities harassed the crew and held them for 20 hours at Al-Abraq Airport. This happened while they were in the country for a 2025 AFCON qualification match.
Due to the fact that some team members shared their experience virtually immediately on social media, the commotion surrounding this incident has increased. Because many of these players are from foreign teams that put their safety and wellbeing first, the situation garnered even more attention.
Similar actions have historically not resulted in major repercussions. As a result, large portion of the blame falls on the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This incident is only one illustration of a larger problem that many teams deal with, particularly while visiting some countries in North Africa. Similar tactics have been used to beat rival teams.
However, there have also been instances of some West African teams using fair play rules to their benefit. This issue is not new nor unique to North Africa. Although the Super Eagles’ treatment in Libya was unfair and intolerable, it is similar to the intimidation and lack of security that many Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) teams experience when travelling.
Expect CAF to postpone making any significant decisions or releasing a solid statement in spite of the abundant evidence both video and testimonies of what the Super Eagles went through.
The real situation
On October 8, the Libyan delegation to a 2025 AFCON qualifier in Nigeria. According to him, they were held at the Port Harcourt International Airport. In response, their Nigerian counterparts said they had received a bogus briefing on Libya’s schedule. The game took place at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on October 11 following the resolution of all of this drama. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored a late goal to give the Eagles a 1-0 victory.
The Eagles’ estimated time of arrival (ETA) was 6.53 p.m. on October 13, when they departed Kano for Benghazi, Libya, at 3:18 p.m. The pilot was given instructions to divert as the aircraft approached the Benghazi airport, according to the NFF, even though he had been given prior permission to land.
“Proceed to the Al-Abraq International Airport, even though the airport lacked the control navigators for landing at such hours,” was the pilot’s directive. Arriving at Al-Abraq Airport at 7:50 p.m., the team had travelled four hours and thirty-two minutes from Kano.
In the company of the NFF General Secretary, Captain William Ekong met with the NFF President at 2am. He informed him that the team might not be able to proceed with the match. This is as a result of trauma, exhaustion, and body aches brought on by malnutrition, dehydration, and extremely harsh and inhumane treatment, causing some players to become ill.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted while descending,” Troost-Ekong stated on X. Without any justification, the Libyan government cancelled our authorised landing in Benghazi. We were left without food, drink, or a phone connection when they sealed the airport gates. All in an attempt to trick the mind.
With this kind of behaviour, give them the benefit of the doubt. Even with security, we will not allow to drive anyplace by road since it is not secure. If we carried on, we can only speculate on the quality of the food and hotel that we would receive.
The Eagles boarded the same chartered jet, which had refuelled, over twenty-four hours after they had departed Kano in order to resume their journey back to Nigeria without completing their task. An NFF news release states that they left Al-Abraq Airport for Kano on October 14 at precisely 3:05 p.m. It was almost six o’clock when they returned to the nation safely.
Was this revenge or retaliation?
The Libyan government stated that the same thing happened to them in Port Harcourt, but they opted to remain silent. However, from their behaviour they “kept silent” in order to forward retaliate and impose the unfortunate illhealth treatment.
Additionally, information reached the Sports Minister of CAF’s expected position and persuaded to permit the game to go forward. “I was on a conference call with the CAF President and CAF Secretary General this morning, Monday, October 14.
“I have informed CAF that the safety of the team and their safe return is the first priority of the Government and Nigerian. Meanwhile, the CAF President seems to be concerned with how to get the national team to participate in tomorrow’s match.”
Since then, the CAF has released a statement. They said “We reported the situation to our Disciplinary Board for inquiry. After informing Libyan and Nigerian authorities of the Super Eagles’ distressing airport experience… Those who violate the CAF Statutes and Regulations shall face appropriate action.
Influence of social media
This information came to the attention of the globe when numerous users began broadcasting updates. The world saw live broadcasts of Nigeria’s team’s struggles, which provided leverage to turn the tide.
Nigerians in their reaction could not help but frown at this violation, calling it the unfortunate illhealth treatment.Troost-Ekong wrote on X at 1.07 p.m. on 14 October, “Power of social media. It appears that we are already fueling our aircraft and will soon depart for Nigeria. Thanks for everyone’s support!”
The game scheduled for Tuesday, October 15 will actually take place on a different day. Nigeria remains at the top of Group D.
