President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the safe return of the senior national football team to the country after their ordeal in Libya, saying he was “deeply moved by the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles”.
The President has therefore called on the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate sanctions against Libya.
This was disclosed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement on Monday.
The Super Eagles had arrived in Libya for the return leg of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers after defeating the Libyan senior team 1-0 in Akwa Ibom on Friday.
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The team’s flight, which was initially bound for Benghazi, was diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, a remote location used for religious pilgrimages.
However, upon landing, the players and staff, were left stranded at the airport without food, water or transportation for hours.
The experience at the hands of the Libyan authorities prompted the Nigerian Football Federation to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the President said he expected the disciplinary board of CAF to “conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s statutes and regulations.”
“The President 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 our players,” he added.
President Tinubu also applauded the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya.
Tinubu recognised football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and viewed the treatment of our citizens as unsportsmanlike and inhumane, a stark contrast to the spirit of the game.
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