NewStats: 3,259,449 , 8,170,134 topics. Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 03:44 AM 114w6q

The NFF 🇳🇬 @thenff

The @NGSuperEagles are back home!

Now let’s recount all the events of the past almost 24 hours read full details here 👇🏽

20 points of a 20-hour ordeal on Libyan soil …

20 Points of a 20-hour ordeal on Libyan soil

. NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, provides a point-by-point of how a keenly-anticipated Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match was relegated to a fiasco by Libyan federal authorities and Football Federation


1) The chartered ValueJet aircraft departed from the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo at 11.55hours on Sunday, 13th October 2024, and landed at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano at 13.10hours, for the completion of immigration formalities and for the aircraft to refuel.


2) The aircraft took off from Kano at 15.18hours, for the 3 hours and 35 minutes flight to Benghazi, Libya, expecting to arrive a few minutes before 8pm Libya time.


3) Just as he was about to commence his initial approach into Benghazi, the captain (pilot) was instructed by the control tower that he could not land in Benghazi (despite having all the required landing papers and having completed all formalities before leaving Uyo and later, Kano, but should proceed to the Al-Abraq International Airport, even though the airport lacked the control navigators for landing at such hours. He complained that he was short on fuel but his words fell on deaf ears as he was told in stern manner that the directive was from ‘higher authorities.’


4) On landing at the Al-Abraq International Airport, in the small town of Labraq, at 19.50hours, it was clear that the airport was not a well-utilized facility. There were no scanning machines or the usual equipment for this service, and officials had to make do with mobile phones to scan port data pages.


5) The delegation, which included 22 players and team officials; NFF President Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu; a couple of NFF Board ; NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi; a couple of parliamentarians; a couple of NFF Management; a couple of media representatives and; a couple of stakeholders, was shown scant respect by the airport authorities who applied curt manners and stern tones.


6) It took over one hour for the team’s luggage to roll through the carousel, despite the fact that the bags and other items had already been hauled from the aircraft immediately on arrival.


7) No official of the Libyan Football Federation was at the airport to receive the delegation, as is the best practice globally. Airport officials could not answer the simple question on where the buses that would take the delegation back to Benghazi (where the NFF had booked hotel rooms) were.


8 ) When delegation including the NFF President, Comrade Shaibu and Dr Sanusi attempted to venture outside the airport to ascertain if there were vehicles waiting for the team, they were stopped in the most uncouth of manners by airport security personnel.


9) Calls to the General Secretary of LFF, Mr. Abdul-Nasser by Dr Sanusi yielded no fruits as the former kept promising that the buses would arrive in ‘10 minutes’, which later became ‘two hours’, and afterwards, ‘three hours.’ Later in the evening, it was no longer possible to reach him on phone. Frustrated by this attitude, Dr Sanusi approached the security operatives to request that the team be allowed to go out and board the buses the NFF eventually hired. This request was rejected with insults. It took the intervention of the NFF dignitaries to prevent what would have escalated into a row as the NFF President himself was not spared when he heard exchange of voices between the security personnel and his General Secretary. This aggravated the tension and further frustrated the team.


10) Hour after hour, and with mounting frustration, delegation , particularly the players, grew restless. There was no food or water provided by the LFF, or where to even procure these items, and there was no network or internet connection at the airport. These swiftly increased the level of frustration and anger.


11) At past midnight, it was learnt that there had been word from ‘higher authorities’ (Libya is a jurisdiction governed by two different istrations – a UN-recognized cabinet in Tripoli and a self-imposed team over Eastern Libya including places like Benghazi and Labraq) that the Nigeria delegation should be delayed for minimum of 10 hours at the airport for what they falsely claimed was done to their team in Nigeria. (All conversations between the NFF General Secretary and the LFF General Secretary on the match in Uyo, both written text and voices notes, are still in the NFF General Secretary’s phone)


12) The NFF team was shocked because the incident referred to in Nigeria was entirely generated by the Libyans. They informed the NFF that their contingent would be landing in Port Harcourt, and not Uyo, only two hours to the team’s arrival in Nigeria. Despite this, the NFF moved swiftly to get authorities to grant their aircraft movement permit from Port Harcourt to Uyo, but this was jettisoned as the LFF apparently did not cherish the additional fee dispatched by the charter company. They opted to travel by road, refused to use the buses hired by the NFF and instead hired their own, and disrespected advice not to travel by night. When they stuck to their guns to move by night, the NFF provided security. The NFF even provided the team training facility the day after the match and secured direct flight permit from Uyo to Benghazi for the delegation.


13) Infuriated, the NFF President reacted: “We anticipated some shocks here given the false of what happened in Nigeria as narrated by their team captain. But we did not expect these shenanigans. What I am seeing is despicable and has no place in the game of football which is meant to foster excellent relationships among nations and bring peoples from diverse cultures, religious persuasions and economic and political interests together in an ambience of peace and joy.”


14) The NFF learnt that the Embassy of Nigeria in Tripoli had written, a fortnight earlier, to the authorities in Benghazi that they would want to welcome the Nigeria delegation on arrival. This application was said to have been rejected outright.


15) In a conscious effort to play down their frustration, anger and hunger, players and officials resorted to playing games, listening to music, chatting themselves up, scanning through the airport exit door to see if any vehicles had arrived, and generally looked forward to daybreak, which they hoped would bring much-sought-after relief.


16) Many calls were made to higher authorities in Nigeria to apprise them of the situation, and these persons all expressed fears for the safety and security of the team. These fears were real and justified given the plethora of threats thrown by the Libyans on legacy and social media in the days before and after the match in Uyo. At 2am, Captain William Ekong met the NFF President in the company of the NFF General Secretary to inform the President that the team may not be able to go ahead with the match, due to trauma, fatigue and body aches that resulted from lack of food, dehydration and very cruel and unimaginable treatment, which had led to some players falling ill.


17) The NFF repeated calls to officials of the Confederation of African Football, Nigeria’s FIFA Council Member Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick and higher authorities in Nigeria. It dispatched a letter to CAF in which it detailed the antics of the hosts and hoped that the continental governing body would go ahead to “punish this rare bestiality visited on the beautiful game.” It noted that the Super Eagles had traveled hoping to enjoy a great game of football but had been sorely disappointed and frustrated by the unprecedented level of hostility and poor attitude of the hosts.


18) At daybreak, Mr. Maurice Eromosele, president of the Nigerian community in Eastern Libya, arrived with words of empathy from the Ambassador of Nigeria to Libya, His Excellency Alhaji Muhammad Muhammad. He expressed shock at the treatment meted out to the Nigeria delegation, who were made to spend the entire night inside the departure lounge of the Al-Abraq Airport. He said His Excellency ordered him to get a few things for the team, and he later returned with plastic bags loaded with croissants and drinks. These served as breakfast for the team.


19) More calls were made and eventually, it was agreed by all parties that the team should not go ahead with the match, but return to Nigeria to await the decision of CAF (who were briefed in detail on the situation) with regards to the un-played match.


20) After spending many more hours waiting for the Al-Abraq airport authorities to sell fuel to refill the chartered ValueJet aircraft (which was initially proving to be some sort of robotic engineering), the Nigeria delegation departed the Al-Abraq Airport (not worth the toga of ‘international’ by any scale) at exactly 15.05hours, bound for the city of Kano, and onwards to the Federal Capital, Abuja.


PHOTO 1: Nigeria delegation at the airport

PHOTO 2: Super Eagles players and officials milling around the departure lounge of the Al-Abraq airport

https://thenff.com/20-points-of-a-20-hour-ordeal-on-libyan-soil/

The situation was complicated by the fact that there are two rival governments in Libya. The Government of National Unity controls Tripoli (where the Nigerian Embassy is based) and other areas in the west of Libya, while the Government of National Stability controls Benghazi, Abraq (where the Super Eagles were) and other areas in the east of Libya. There is a ceasefire agreement between both governments, but they don't like each other.

The Government of National Unity did not give the Charge d'Affairs of the Nigerian Embassy permission to travel to the territory of the Government of National Stability, where the Super Eagles were.

Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar @YusufTuggar

I have been closely monitoring the situation involving the Super Eagles in Libya.

Through the Head of Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Amb. Stephen Anthony Awuru, the Mission has maintained with the NFF, and the Libyan authorities since last night. Despite efforts, Libyan authorities have not yet authorized the Nigerian Mission’s trip to Bayda City, where the airport is located.

In the meantime, the Head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi, Mr. Morris Eromosele, arrived at the location at 6 am this morning with necessary supplies and internet access. We will continue to follow developments and await a report for further action.

Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar @YusufTuggar

I received with dismay the news of the unfortunate detention of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Al Abraq International Airport several hours after arriving ahead of Tuesday’s crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya.

This incident, though regrettable, emphasizes the importance on the need for the safety and well-being of our officials and players.

To resolve the incident, I initiated a phone call to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Libyan Eastern Government, Dr Abdulhadi Lahweej. This led to a series of actions, culminating in steps taken to assuage NFF officials and reassure the players of their safety. Subsequently, the contingent departed for Nigeria, and we await their arrival.

I commend the authorities' actions in resolving the incident and appreciate the amicable resolution of the unfortunate situation in the spirit of African brotherhood.

Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar @YusufTuggar

The NFF Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau meets with the Honourable Minister, Amb. Yusuf M. Tuggar (OON), to address the recent incident with the Super Eagles in Libya and discuss steps to ensure the team's safety and improve future coordination.

Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar @YusufTuggar

I met with the President of @thenff, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau @NigeriaMFA to address the recent situation involving @NGSuperEagles in Libya.

Our discussions focused on strengthening response mechanisms to ensure our teams' safety and prevent future incidents.

Ajibade Abiodun C. @biodunajibade

From the desk of @YusufTuggar Minister @NigeriaMFA

@YusufTuggar is in touch with the Nigerian Mission in Libya through the CDA Amb Stephen Anthony Awuru, who has also been in touch with the NFF and Libyan authorities since last night, but Libyan authorities were yet to authorize them to travel to Bayda City, where the airport is located.

However, the CDA instructed the head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi Mr Morris Eromosele, who arrived there this morning with supplies and internet access.

The Minister continues to monitor the unfortunate event through the CDA and awaits a report for further action.

abikedabiri @abikedabiri

This is most despicable behavior by the Libyan authorities. Libya is not a safe place to travel anyhow, especially by road . Your safety is of utmost concern. I am optimistic that the Minister of Sports ,and the NFF are working round the clock to deal with this situation appropriately.

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission @nidcom_gov

PRESS STATEMENT

AFCON 2025 QUALIFIERS: Treatment of Super Eagles players in Libya despicable- DABIRI-EREWA

ABUJA, OCT. 14, 2024: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), 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 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.

E-signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abuja.

this is purely barbaric.

I use to think the North Africans are better refined, since they tend to prove superior.

the question is did they report Nigeria to the African Football Governing Body?

questions raised by Godwin Enakhena below:

helinues:
Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

@helinues, why are you like this, this morning? kindly read through.

fine poor as our s could be we wouldn't have treated them is same manner, it is obvious irrespective of the bickering we show ourselves as citizen, Nigerians are hospitable people towards visitors.

the only plan B that could have worked was the Nigerian Embassy in tripoli which is under another government besides far from where they were. also realize there is a standard protocol established the Football Governing Body I believe the the Nigerian Football Governing Body trusted and followed through expecting those north africans would extend the hospitality expected of them.

There is a war in Sudan, so they can't play their matches at home, they play in Libya. Sudan and Ghana were given permission to land in Benghazi on the same day that the Libyans refused to give permission to the Super Eagles to land in Benghazi. They played their match in Benghazi without any problems, while the Super Eagles were being detained at an airport in Abraq.


nwachinemerem Ka mbu ✪ @donemy2000

This is 2024 and you Libyans think the rest of Africa is dumb . Sudan that is using Libya as a home ground because of the fight in their country landed in Benghazi, Ghana that is playing them landed also in Benghazi but Nigeria that has legitimate business in Libya couldn't land

Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

Statement choke

The match should be play at a neutral venue. All those north African countries are same. They always think they are better than other African. CAF too is unserious organization.

Libian Fooball Federation treat like our country, Nigeria

NFF needs to be investigated too. A lot of blunders from their side too. They have been spared by Nigerians in all these, but thevfact is that they're not totally innocent.
I think we have roasted the poor Libyans thoroughly enough. It is time to look inwards.

Someone is not doing his job very well at the NFF. And this started since the coming of this ineffective NFF chairman. The South Africans complained of this. Now the Libyans. I read that another country that played us at hone recently, complained of similar treatment too.

While the Libyans might have overreacted in their typical primitive North African ways, heads need to roll at that NFF. Period. Someone who doesn't know how to coordinate stuffs like this, is in charge there. I don't know whether its the NFF chairman himself, or a head of an agency there. But someone out of sort withbhis istrative responsibilities is cauing the country all sorts of embarrassments.

helinues:
Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

Is Nigeria a football country?

helinues:
Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

tballeyy:
Libian Fooball Federation treat like our country, Nigeria

Myname55:
Statement choke

wittyness

kheny12:
The match should be play at a neutral venue. All those north African countries are same. They always think they are better than other African. CAF too is unserious organization.

I believe the match will be played at a neutral venue.
CAF is a useless organization.

Those north African countries don't see themselves as Africans . Especially Morocco and Tunisia

Nigerians are always united when treated badly by outsiders. But but our own kith and kins will be dealing with us at home and we will be smiling sheepishly and enduring

A nation in turmoil and CAF in it's idiocy allows international matches to be played there That's crazy!!!
Libya as a whole cannot and should not be allowed to host any international match cuz it's not safe!
Thank God our boys were not attacked or kidnapped

helinues:
Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

Didn't you read where NFF got another vehicle but they didn't not allow them out of the airport.
Or you didn't read when the Nigerian Embassy in Libya wanted to host them but Libya govt didn't not approve.

Nothing concern me but E dey mind

just look at all the risk taken ,






Libya that is an unhappy country ,












why should a match be held in such a country ,






off course they would of planed with Libya to frustrate our players








NFF as usually with always a failed plan ,











we love you
our role model Princess FChukwu

CAF is just a useless organization. I haven't come across anywhere where a CAF delegation bothered visiting a stranded super Eagles during their thirteen plus hour ordeal. It can never happen anywhere or under any continental federation in the world except under CAF. I'm also not really happy with the punishment given to Libya too, they should have been ducked three points while three goals should have been awarded to Nigeria which should have been in addition to the other penalties given after all, the whole plan was to frustrate us into forfeiting the match while they walk over and benefit the three points and three goals so it has to backfire magnificently on them. Any punishment without that is just a pat on the wrist

I will like the war to start between naija n stupid country n curse country called libya

Temptation147:
Nothing concern me but E dey mind

E no concern you abi? Your follow citizen were treated like dirt bag, and e no concern you.

Avoidable Embarrassment in Libya: Lessons for Nigerian Officials

The 20-hour ordeal suffered by Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Libya is not just a football failure but a diplomatic embarrassment. Beyond blaming Libyan authorities, it is important to reflect on what Nigerian officials could have done differently to mitigate the humiliation and avoid such outcomes in the future.

Poor Preparation: A Fundamental Flaw

Traveling to Libya—a country with fragmented governance—should have raised red flags. Nigerian football officials knew that dealing with dual istrations in Tripoli and Benghazi could complicate logistics. A stronger collaboration with Nigeria’s embassy in Libya before the trip might have provided better on-ground . Officials could have proactively deployed liaison officers to coordinate directly with local authorities and the Libyan Football Federation (LFF), ensuring a smoother entry for the team.

Contingency Planning: The Missing Piece

The lack of food, water, and transport at the airport made the situation worse. It is unfathomable that officials undertook such a sensitive trip without emergency supplies or alternative arrangements. With a simple foresight, NFF could have packed essential provisions—light meals and drinks for the delegation—and ensured there was a standby transport option, even if it meant hiring additional buses in advance.

Assertive Diplomacy over Impulsiveness

When the delegation was denied access to buses and airport officials were uncooperative, Nigerian officials responded emotionally, escalating tensions. Rather than engaging in confrontations with airport security, officials should have remained calm and escalated the matter diplomatically to higher authorities or the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sooner. Quick, discreet coordination with Nigerian diplomats in Tripoli and Benghazi might have defused the standoff early.

Managing the Players’ Welfare

The trauma and fatigue suffered by the team could have been minimized through better planning. NFF should have briefed the players to mentally prepare for potential delays and kept them informed throughout the crisis. Even in distress, the leadership must focus on maintaining morale—engaging the players and officials in calming activities beyond just “waiting it out.”

ability and Learning from Mistakes

Finally, Nigeria must hold both the Libyan Football Federation and the NFF able. A formal complaint to CAF is essential, but NFF must also introspect and improve its crisis management strategies. Sending a national team abroad without proper diplomatic groundwork and fallback options was a grave error.

In the future, football tours must be treated not only as sporting events but as diplomatic missions. With stronger planning, proactive diplomacy, and strategic calmness, Nigeria can avoid such embarrassments. Our teams deserve better preparation—not just talent on the field but also wisdom and foresight off it.

Football may foster unity, but it demands professionalism to navigate challenges. Nigeria’s officials must do better to protect the pride of the nation.

helinues:
Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

Which plan B are you going to have in another man's country,whose higher authority is out to frustrate you?
Make you dey try dey reason,them no swear for you..

Why Libya should be punished


1. Football is unifying game globally and so there should be no room for racism, violence or revenge of any sort.

2. Nigeria is "the face of African football" ànd at such tolerating this kind of inhuman treatment is simply saying Africa is not yet ready to be taken serious.

3 If Nigeria that has the best players in Africa who plays in some of the best teams in Europe can be held hostage and be treated like this.
How do you expect the European countries and teams to respect our Africa football and AFCON.

4 No national team in Africa should be allowed to go through such ordeal over 20 hours of hostage, no water, food, and internet and no access to hotel for proper rest.
And you want them to play a match by all means without giving value for lives.

5. The act of diverting the plane mid air to another location without proper communication and logistics provision is an act of Terrorism and an attempted murder.
Imagine a plane carrying the US president heading to Abuja been diverted to marduguri airport without food and water for even 2 hours and no official explanation.
Guess what will happen..
All the US Airforce will be let loss on Nigeria. Because they value one life.

Let's look at it from that light.
Because Nigeria is a team carrying the best player and most valuable players in Africa (the African footballer of the year (current) and the next in waiting were on that team)
Players whose net worth can buy all the Libyan team.
If they can be treated like this what will be the date if players in local African leagues going to play CAF match in Libya.


6 Revenge of any sort should be strongly condemn. If any perceived wrong doing should be channel properly.


7. This punishment this time to Libya should serve as a warning so others will not repeat it.

I am not surprised with what the Libyans did. This is not the first time they, and other North Africans, are doing this to visiting African teams.
Their objective was to secure a walk over and three points over Nigeria as they did to Enyimba a couple of years ago or force our players to play the match with extreme exhaustion.

They planned all these even before they came to Nigeria and that is why they orchestrated all the drama in Nigeria to provide a justification for their evil act.
Libya is not a rival to Nigeria and not a threat to our qualification, so Nigeria had no motive to treat them badly in Nigeria. They purposely made it difficult for themselves and the NFF in their travel plans.

It is a shame that some Nigerians are justifying the evil acts of the Libyans with the false claims that we did it to them first.
These Nigerians are very unintelligent as they cannot reason properly and see through the charade.
Any reasonable person will condemn this evil act unequivocally.

Diverting a plane that is already descending to a faraway airport is a very dangerous thing to do. This is beyond mind games, and it is the part that surprised me; that they could go to that extent of risking the lives of our contingent to achieve their aim. What would have been the reaction of these Nigerians if that plane had crashed?

helinues:
Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

You are such a disappointment with this shallow comment

Sleekfingers:


E no concern you abi? Your follow citizen were treated like dirt bag, and e no concern you.

How did your country treat them first?

helinues:
Both NFF and Libya FA are not different

Libya that's not a football country yet you relied all the logistics to them without having plan B

When I see comments like this, I wonder the numbers of pyschosis cases that are ignored in our society. Some people ought to be in yaba left, but instead they're on the Internet

H