Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Kayode John The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says it has asked its Disciplinary Board to investigate the ordeal of Super Eagles in Libya and promised to take action against any violation of its statutes and regulations. Super Eagles players and officials were locked up at the Al Abaq airport for more than 15 hours after arriving in Libya on a private plane on Sunday for the return leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. However, their flight was redirected from landing in Benghazi, the venue of the game, to Al Abaq airport, which is more…
By Kayode John The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has denied accusations of foul play after the Super Eagles have been left stranded at the Al Abraq airport for over 15 hours, since arriving in the country for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The Super Eagles and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) arrived in Libya on Sunday on a private flight scheduled to land in Benghazi, venue of the return leg of the AFCON qualifiers. However, their plane was redirected to Al Abaq airport, which is three hours drive from the original destination. The team has been held…
By Kayode John Minister of Sports Development John Enoh has backed the Super Eagles’ decision to boycott their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya scheduled for Tuesday. Super Eagles players and officials have been held hostage at an airport in Libya for over 13 hours after their plane was forced to land far from their destination on Sunday, when they arrived in the country for the game. The Libyan authorities diverted the private plane carrying the team from landing in Benghazi, the venue of the game, to Al Abaq airport, which is two hours drive from the…
By Kayode John Nigeria Football Federation’s Director of Communications Ademola Olajire has said the body is making arrangements to fly the Super Eagles back home after the players decided not to play the return leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying tie against Libya. The match is scheduled for Tuesday but the current situation has forced the Super Eagles to prioritise their safety and well-being. The players and officials have been locked up at an airport in Libya for over 14 hours after their plane was forced to land far from their destination on Sunday evening, when they…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Super Eagles are seriously considering withdrawing from Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya following inhumane treatment from the hosts. The Nigerian delegation arrived in Libya on Sunday evening and it has been a hellish experience for them since then. First, the Libyans diverted the Super Eagles’ plane from its original destination of Benina in the outskirts of match venue Benghazi, forcing it to land in the Al Abraq airport in Bayda city, which would require a road trip of three to four hours in dangerous terrain. The Nigerian players and officials were then…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Super Eagles of Nigeria were kept at an airport in Libya for hours after their plane was forced to land far from their destination on Sunday. The Nigerians are in Libya for the second match of their Africa Cup of Nations double-header against the North Africans, and arrived there on Sunday, two days before the fixture billed for Benghazi. A short video of less than a minute long, posted by the Super Eagles media team on Sunday night, shows officials of the Nigeria Football Federation in discussion with Libyan men in uniform, who appear to be…
By Kayode John Remo Stars returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Nasarawa United in their Week 6 clash in Ikenne. The league leaders are back to winning ways after Kwara United ended their run in Ilorin last Sunday, with last season’s top scorer Sikiru Alimi, Stanley Joseph and Super Eagles full-back Ismail Sodiq netting in the second half against the visitors. Alimi headed home Joseph’s cross in the 51st minute to break the deadlock, and eight minutes later Joseph went from provider to scorer when he doubled…
The President of the Libyan Football Federation Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani has resigned just two days before they host Nigeria’s Super Eagles. According to Libyan newspaper, Addresslibya, Al-Shalmani announced his resignation from his position in a meeting with members of the General Assembly attended by representatives of clubs on Sunday. The development comes two days before The Mediterranean Knights host the Super Eagles in Benghazi, in the return leg of their back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Libya suffered a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in the first leg of the tie in Uyo last Friday, a result which leaves…
Novak Djokovic missed the opportunity to claim the 100th title of his stellar career as Jannik Sinner won a high-quality Shanghai Masters final on Sunday. World number one Sinner, 23, continued his dominant form this season with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory over the 37-year-old Serb. Djokovic was aiming to become only the third man – after Jimmy Connors (109) and the watching Roger Federer (103) – to chalk up a ton of titles. “I have got to keep striving to make it happen somewhere in the near future,” said 24-time major champion Djokovic, whose only title this year has…
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has resumed individual training as he recovers from a muscle problem that has kept him out of action since September 28. On Saturday, Galatasaray shared on X a short video of Osimhen undertaking solo drills and runs, hinting of his potential return. In addition, the Turkish giants shared pictures of the 25-year-old working with the ball. “Victor Osimhen is undergoing a tailored training program separate from the team,” a post on the club’s official account read. However, Galatasaray, where he is on loan from Napoli, have not confirmed if he would be fit for their…