AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Tinubu Urges CAF To Probe Super Eagles’ Ordeal In Libya

• As team return home safely via Kano

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Following the safe return of Super Eagles’ contingent to Nigeria after their ordeal in Libya ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier, President Bola Tinubu has tasked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to probe the incident and applied appropriate sanctions where necessary.

Welcoming the team home, the President expressed concern at the inhuman treatment endured by the players and officials in Libya, adding that he was touched that the Nigerian team could be made to go through such harrowing experience.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday quoted the President as commending the players for keeping their spirits alive despite the excruciating ordeal in the North African nation.

According to the statement; “President Tinubu expects the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations.

“President Tinubu also 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.

“The Nigerian leader recognises football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and views the treatment of our citizens as unsportsmanlike and inhumane, a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he deeply appreciates.

“He fervently calls on all lovers of the round-leather game and administrators to unite and work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future.”

The social media have been awash with reports that the Eagles were exposed to distressing treatment upon their arrival in the North African country for the return leg of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The first leg encounter played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital last Friday, October 11, saw the visiting Mediterranean Knights of Libya losing 1-0 with the goal coming in the dying minutes of the game.
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The team’s flight, initially bound for Benghazi, was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, a remote location typically used for religious pilgrimages.⁣
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Upon landing, the players and staff were left stranded for over 14 hours at the airport without food, water and transportation.

In response to the ordeal, the Super Eagles decided to boycott the AFCON qualifier, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) backing their decision.⁣
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The national football team’s traumatic experience at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities prompted the NFF to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday in Benghazi.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles returned to the country on Monday evening via Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on a chartered ValueJet aircraft.

With no access to necessities like food, water, or a place to rest, photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral, prompting condemnation from Nigerian authorities and football fans.

One of the Nigerian players, Victor Boniface posted via his X (Twitter) handle confirming the arrival of the team in Nigeria, after their flight was cleared to take off.

“Back in Nigeria. Next of kin, you try ooo”, he wrote.