The Libyan government finally granted the Nigerian football team clearance for a Nigerian flight to bring them back home after delaying them for more than 14 hours at Al Abraq International Airport.
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has confirmed that Nigeria’s Super Eagles and officials have finally left Libya for Nigeria after hours of delay at the airport by the Libyan authorities.
The NiDCOM boss made the confirmation on X on Monday afternoon when she posted a photo of the team boarding their flight back to Nigeria, where she wrote, “Super Eagles team now boarding. Journey mercies to all of them.”
The Libyan government finally granted the Nigerian football team clearance for a Nigerian flight to bring them back home after delaying them for more than 14 hours at Al Abraq International Airport.
One of Super Eagles players, Bruno Onyemaechi, who also confirmed their departure from Libya on X wrote, “Me and Libya, I’ve washed my hands of it. Nothing concerns me with you all again. Thank God I’m going back.”
Also confirming the situation, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X said, “Latest update: The Super Eagles have left Libya. They are now airborne, on the way to Abuja, says Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh.”
The media earlier reported that the players and coaches of the Nigerian national football team, were set to board their Valuejet chartered plane to move out of Libya.
The assistant captain of the team, William Troost-Ekong made this known in a post on his X.
He said the players and officials had started making the necessary preparations to leave the North African country.
He said: “Power of social media. Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving for Nigeria shortly.
“Thanks for everyone’s support! 🇳🇬. I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!”
SaharaReporters had reported how the team had been stranded for over 13 hours in Libya after the host country’s government disrupted their travel plans.
This made the players, with the approval of the Nigerian Football Federation, decide to withdraw from playing their upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.
Explaining how the hostile treatment the team experienced inside the airport was sanctioned by the Libyan authorities, William Troost-Ekong wrote: “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.”
He added, “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…”
Leave a Reply