The Super Eagles are heading back to Nigeria as confirmed by the NFF. The NFF said; “The chartered Jet has been fully refuelled, permission to fly granted.
“The Super Eagles and officials are currently Boarding the chartered jet, they are coming back to Nigeria right now.”
Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, who also confirmed the decision on his X Handle, said they were left stranded at the airport with nobody to attend to them.
He stressed that Nigeria as a nation cannot treat a visiting nation the way Libya treated the Super Eagles delegation.
“Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support!
“Can I shock you?! the pilot has just told us there has been fuel at this airport for the plane all this time. They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine?! So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!! Still just waiting
“After our first tweets magically a team bus arrived and a driver who has been standing inside the airport filming us and laughing with some of the other staff since last night said the bus was ready 12 hours after we landed. Now we have been waiting for fuel since morning…
“I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose,” he said.
Meanwhile Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen has rallied support for his teammates following their inhumane treatment by the Libyan FA and government.
The Galatasaray of Turkey star who was ruled out of the double header qualifiers on account of injury, described the attitude of the Libyans as Inhumane and Uncalled for.
“Uncalled for, and inhumane” Osimhen posted on his social media handle.
Earlier, Captain William Troost-Ekong explained how their chartered plane was diverted from landing despite having landing approval by the Libyan Government.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with int. football.”
Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo on Thursday
The football world is waiting anxiously to see the decision of Africa’s football umpire, CAF on this matter.
Nigeria is scheduled to play Libya in the Matchday four of their 2025 AFCON qualifiers Tuesday night by 8pm local time.
Nigeria, it could be recalled, beat the Mediterranean Knights by alone goal in Uyo on Thursday to consolidate their leadership of Group D.
