Nigeria’s Leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for thorough investigation into the experience of the national football team, the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities, while they were in the country for the second leg match of the AFCON qualifiers against Libya national team.
A statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated the President’s expectations from the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to include, the recommendation of appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations.
Welcoming the safe return of the Super Eagles to Nigeria, President Tinubu commended the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of the Nigerian Soccer Stars.
“The harrowing experience of the national football team at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities prompted the Nigerian Football Federation to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday.”
The President applauded the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya.
The Nigerian leader recognised football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and views the treatment of Nigerian citizens as unsportsmanlike and inhumane.
The President described the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles of Nigeria at Al Abraq Libyan airport as a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he deeply appreciates.
President Tinubu however called on all lovers of the round-leather game and administrators to unite and work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future.
You would recall that the Nigerian government summoned the Libyan chargé d’affaires in Monday for clarifications regarding the hostage situation involving the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.
The Super Eagles were in Libya for the second leg match of the AFCON qualifiers against Libya’s national team.
The Libyan authorities diverted the Nigerian team’s plane to a different airport, where they were denied aviation fuel and food.
