Fola Badmus

AFCONQ: Super Eagles’s poor treatment in Libya despicable -Dabiri-Erewa 

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libya authorities  ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country. She noted in a press statement that traveling 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 advise 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 was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason. 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 and why the Nigerian Football Federation will decide the next line of action. 

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Why I didn’t attend my first wife’s 50th birthday party -Mercy Aigbe’s hubby 

Nigerian movie marketer, Kazim Adeoti has addressed why he did not celebrate his first wife, Olufunsho, on social media on her 50th birthday. Olufunsho turned 50 last week and had a party in the US, however Adeoti was conspicuously absent. He was dragged on social media for failing to attend the party or celebrating her online. In a statement he released on his Instagram page on Sunday evening, the filmmaker said the mother of his four kids asked him not to attend the party nor celebrate her on social media and he had to respect her wishes. According to him, “This is to address recent media comments surrounding Mrs Okufunsi Adeoti’s 50th birthday celebration, which was held in the US last weekend.  “For the avoidance of doubt, the celebrant and I spoke about her plan for her 50th birthday party and how she wished to celebrate it. She wanted a party but, shockingly she specifically said that I shout not attend. I asked her again to be sure in the presence of our children and to everybody’s surprise, her response was consistent -she NO! “That was her wish, and I would not want to be embarrassed by attending a party that the celebrant asked me not to attend, so I stayed back in Nigeria.  “Regardless of how painful her position was to me, I ensured towards the success of the party. I also informed and ensured that of our families and friends in the US honoured her big day.  “As I always do, I wished her a happy birthday offline, and she acknowledged pleasantly.  “Olufunso remains a significant part of my life. I can never wish her anything other that what is beautiful in life because she is the proud mother of our four lovely children. That can never be undone-in fact it’s one of the most important things in my life!  “I therefore would appeal to members of the public, especially on social media, particularly the Facebook community, to desist from making unfound and distorted comments about us.  “The best way to support us is to please let peace reign as social media is not real life.  “Furthermore, as I always do, I wished her a happy birthday personally via sms, to which she replied on same day. She had also warned me not to post her photographs on my media accounts. I had to respect her wish and this understandable.”

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AFCONQ: Super Eagles resolve to return home 

Super Eagles players and officials have resolved to return to the country following the poor treatment melted to them at Al Abraq Airport.  The team’s captain William Troost-Ekong disclosed this after several hours wait without food, drinks, Wi-Fi and other basic supplies.  “As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game.  “CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow 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.” Officials of the NFF we gathered have also been making plans to fly the team back home. 

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Morocco 2025: Osimhen, Ekong, Ndidi, others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

AFCONQ: Ekong cries out, as Eagles languish in Libya

Super Eagles’ captain William Tristan-Ekong has called on Nigerian Government to urgently intervene and ensure their passage into Libya for their AFCON 2025 qualifying tie on Tuesday.  According to reports, the team was denied access into Libya and has since been languishing at airport without basic amenities.  Ekong who was disgusted by the act by the Libya authorities wrote; “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. “At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game.  “CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow 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 international football.”

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Super Eagles held hostage in Libya 

Members of the Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been languishing for over 13 hours without basic amenities at Libyan airport, Trendbrio.com have reliably gathered.  The team departed Nigeria on Sunday for the reverse fixture of the AFCON 2025 qualifier against Libya are still held at the airport as at press time.  Sources close to the Nigeria Football Federation hinted that about an hour to landing, the Nigerian side aircraft approaching its destination, Benghazi was diverted to another city more than two hour drive from the original destination. The Nigerian lads were also denied from gaining access into the country by the Libyan authorities for over 13 hours.  Leverkusen of Germany striker, Victor Boniface, who led the Super Eagles attack in the first leg lamented the poor treatment on his X handle.  He wrote; “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep  “Africa we can do better @CAF.” 

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Ex-Green Eagles’ goalie, Fregene dies at 77

Former Green Eagles’ goalkeeper Peter Fregene is dead.  Late Fregene also known as Apu breath his last on Sunday after battling with an undisclosed illness.  The deceased former national teammate, Dr Segun Odegbami broke the news on his social media fields.  Odegbami who was gutted by the eternal departure of his friend wrote; “And the Man died.  “A few minutes ago, Peter ‘Apo’ Fregene, OLY, former goalkeeper for Nigeria’s Green Eagles, who has been on life-support for the past one week, passed on to meet his Creator.  “He died quietly in the presence of two of his children and his devoted wife, Tina.  “On behalf of all generations of Nigerian footballers, Olympians, sports persons, his family, friends, fans and a few incredible Nigerians that quietly rallied round and, with their support, prayers and the will of the Creator of the Universe, kept him alive until this night, I say a big ‘thank you’.  “Good night ‘Apo’.  “Rest my friend, rest in peace, finally!” Fregene aged 77, was the first choice goalkeeper for the Nigeria national football team from 1968 to 1971, before being recalled for the 1982 African Cup of Nations finals. He also represented Nigeria at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

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AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Dele-Bashiru rescues Super Eagles against Libya 

A lone striker by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was all the Super Eagles needed to pip resilient Libya national team at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday.  The Nigerian side had laboured to hit the back of the net before the Lazio FC midfielder struck in the 87th minute of the tie.  The win keeps Nigeria on top of the Group D with 7 points ahead of Benin Republic on 6points.  Nigeria needs an outright victory over Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday to punch her qualifying ticket to the next edition of AFCON in Morocco.  Ballon d’Dor nominee Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface were listed to lead Super Eagles assaults against Libya.  Stanley Nwabali retained his place between the sticks for Nigeria. The South African based goalie also got cover from the defence led by William Tristan Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi.  Usual suspects like Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon were assigned the midfield role. 

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