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AFCONQ: Super Eagles head back to Nigeria

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Members of the Super Eagles have boarded a flight back to Nigeria after 13-hour delay at Libyan airport on Sunday. The former African champions were billed to play the second leg of the AFCON 2025 qualifier against Libyan national team on Tuesday but were refused entry by authorities at the airport. Having waited patiently at the airport for over 13 hours, the Nigerian side resolved to return home without kicking a ball. Members of the William Troost-Ekong team are going through process of the immigration to board the available flight back home. Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has also wished the team safe journey back home. “Super Eagles team now boarding . Journey mercies to all of them,” She wished the Eagles. Super Eagles’ player, Bruno Onyemaechi also emphatically said he is done with the tie against Libya. “Me and Libya I done washed my hands commot nothing concern me and una again thank God going back home,” the Boavista of Portugal player stated.

AFCONQ: Libya regrets Super Eagles ordeal

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Libya Football Federation (LFF) has expressed regrets over the poor treatment melted at the Super Eagles team on arrival for the second leg tie of the AFCON 2025 qualifier. The Libyan football authority stated this is in social media post on Monday. “We are deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya. “While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel. “These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon. “We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional. “There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles. “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. “It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification. “Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities. “Football, in its essence, unites nations, and we are committed to upholding the spirit of fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field. “In Libya, we pride ourselves on our hospitality and our welcoming nature. We have always prioritized treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve. @Hosting these events is a great honor for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests. This commitment to equality and hospitality is a core aspect of our culture and tradition. “We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill. Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football.” The Nigerian side were abandoned at the airport for over 13 hours without food, drinks, Wi-Fi and other social amenities.

AFCONQ: Ekong provides updates Super Eagles ordeal in Libya

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Skipper William Troost-Ekong has provided updates on poor treatments at Super Eagles by Libya authorities. The defensive stalwart in a social media post hinted that logistics are being put in place for the team to jet to the match venue. His words; “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. Shortly before the tweet, Ekong had earlier wrote that a team bus been made available after several hours waiting at the airport. “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…” Meanwhile, the duo of Victor Boniface and Bruno Onyemaechi in a separate posts on social have demanded for the team return to Nigeria. “This is no longer a joke. Please, we need help to go back to Nigeria,” Onyemaechi pleaded. On his part, Leverkusen of Germany striker Victor Boniface believed the situation is getting scary, just he also wants a return to the country. “This is getting scary now. “You guys can have the points. “We just want to return to our country.”

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

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

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.

Photo news: Stranded Eagles in Libya

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago00 mins

AFCONQ: Super Eagles resolve to return home

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

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.

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

AFCONQ: Ekong cries out, as Eagles languish in Libya

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

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.”

Ex-Green Eagles’ goalie, Fregene at 77

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

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.