AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Treatment of Super Eagles players in Libya despicable, Dabiri-Erewa laments

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the treatment meted out to Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa made the condemnation in a statement on Monday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations of NIDCOM in Abuja.
She noted that travelling by road in Libya is most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country.
The team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for their return match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue of the match.
The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya , considering the situation of the war-torn country.
Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country, and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advice appropriately.
She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Already, the players, the pilots and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest and other means of communication.
“The team were delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason”, the statement said.
The Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday and they were required to travel by road to their destination.
However, there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities and all efforts to make alternative provisions by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was frustrated.
Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm while the Nigerian Football Federation will decide the next line of action.