SocialMediaTrends: How Nigerians reacted to Super Eagles’ mistreatment in Libya

The obnoxious drama that unfolded in Libya between Sunday and Monday as the Super Eagles of Nigeria traveled to the North African country for the second leg of the 2025 AFCON billed for Tuesday, October 15, has once again shown the ‘Dark Arts’ often displayed by desperate countries to frustrate and intimidate their opponents.

The shoddy treatment meted at the Eagles by the Libyan authorities forced the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw from the match while awaiting further actions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

After the Eagles flew on a chartered flight to Libya on Sunday, the team, officials and the airline crew were refused landing at the Benghazi International Airport, as the flight was diverted to the Al Abraq International Airport, three hours away from Benghazi where the match was scheduled to take place.

The contingent was then detained for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, with the Libyan football authorities refusing to provide them the mandatory transportation to take the Eagles to the match city.

Explaining the chaotic situation, the NFF said the plane conveying the team had earlier been diverted, leaving the players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.

“The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing,” the NFF said.

“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport,” the NFF stated.

The NFF added that the fatigued and frustrated players have now resolved not to play the match and in support of the players’ decision, is currently arranging for the team to fly back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement concluded.

The ill-treatment of the Nigerian delegation drew serious condemnation from prominent figures in the Nigerian football fraternity including team captain William Troost-Ekong who took to his X account to express disappointment over the unfair treatment meted out to the Nigerian team.

“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before,” said Troost-Ekong

“Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.

“At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow.

“This kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued.”

Nigerian Sports Minister, John Enoh also weighed into the sordid drama:

“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.

“The National Team was en route Benghazi but was diverted on approach the airport (with very scant attention to their safety), to Al Abaq Airport, which is hours away from Benghazi, where their match is slated to take place.

“All through the night, I have escalated the matter and involved all necessary authorities. From the Foreign Affairs Minister, the National Security Advicer, the DG NIA, Amaju Pinnick, our CAF Executive member. I have also remained in touch with both the president of the NFF, who is on ground with the team and the Chairman of Value Jet, owners of the plane that airlifted the team to Libya. All hands must be on deck to protect our National Team.

‘The Team have succinctly stated that they have been unattended to for upwards of about 15 hrs since arrival, with no food, no accommodation, left in a mosquito infested environment and cordoned off by Libyan security not to step out of the airport and they have access to nothing.

“To say the least, they face an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sports men set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday!

“As Sports Minister, I have instructed the NFF president to lay a formal complaint to CAF without prejudice to any actions already taken. This must be on record and thoroughly addressed.’

Read Also: Eagles land in Nigeria after ordeal in Libya as CAF launches investigations

Former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa had this to say:

“I’m extremely disappointed by the unjust treatment of the Super Eagles, the NFF officials, as well as dignitaries in Libya.

“This is not sportsmanship, and I want the football governing body, @CAF_Online to intervene and investigate this incident. I stand with the players in this difficult time.”

A popular Nigerian sports writer and critic, @Sports_Doctor said:

“This is not a new thing for Libya, they did it to my club, Enyimba in 2022. Enyimba slept at the airport for 24hours+ after their opponents, Libya’s Al Lttihad changed venue without communication

“They also did to Rivers United when they went to play Al Nasr Benghazi in Libya, the Libyans switched off the lights of their training ground and they trained in darkness!!!!

“This is their character but we have uninformed Nigerians supporting Libya!!!”

A disgruntled fan @Zimachoppers said:

“Is Libya really a country??? Cox they are full of weakness….apart from football teams been stranded, you need to hear what they are doing to Nigerians leaving in there country.. they’re so full of shitty stuff.”

Troost-Ekong came back to say:

“Power of social media. Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support! 🇳🇬

“I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!

@AfamDeluxo decided to put in a little bit of politics in the mix:

“Libya won’t dare what they are doing to us if we still had Abacha as HoS. I still recall how he ruthlessly dealt with Benin Rep when they messed with Nigerians under his regime. Their President at the time had to fly Abuja & beg. We unfortunately have a dried leaf today in Abuja.”

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