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 original destination.
The players have been denied accommodation, access to food, water and the internet. They also slept on the metal chairs at the local airport over the night.
In a post on X on Monday, the minister disclosed he has communicated with the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, and CAF’s Secretary-General, Veron Mosengo-Omba, that what is most important to Nigeria is the safety of the players.
Enoh also revealed that his ministry has contacted necessary government agencies and individuals in the country over the situation.
“I strongly condemn the obnoxious treatment meted on players and officials of the Senior National Team, the Super Eagles, who arrived in Libya yesterday, the 13th of October for the reverse version of the match played on Friday in Uyo, the AFCON 2025 Group D qualifiers,” he wrote.
“The National Team was en route Benghazi but was diverted on approach the airport (with very scant attention to their safety), to Al Abaq Airport, which is hours away from Benghazi, where their match is slated to take place.
“All through the night, I have escalated the matter and involved all necessary authorities. From the Foreign Affairs Minister, the National Security Adviser, the DG NIA, Amaju Pinnick, our CAF Executive member. I have also remained in touch with both the president of the NFF, who is on ground with the team, and the Chairman of Value Jet, owners of the plane that airlifted the team to Libya. All hands must be on deck to protect our National Team.
“The Team have succinctly stated that they have been unattended to for upwards of about 15 hrs since arrival, with no food, no accommodation, left in a mosquito infested environment and cordoned off by Libyan security not to step out of the airport and they have access to nothing.
“To say the least, they face an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sports men set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday!
“For now, our primary concern is the safety of the members of our national team.
With the events of the past hours, their safety is not guaranteed and the team insists they’re unable to go ahead with the match not just because of the trauma and consequent psychological torture but also because of fear for their safety.
“As Sports Minister, I have instructed the NFF president to lay a formal complaint to CAF without prejudice to any actions already taken. This must be on record and thoroughly addressed.
“This morning I was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General. While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team participate in tomorrow’s match, I have instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first, the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.
“There must be a serious adverse consequence to the Libyan Football Federation for this unspeakable behaviour.
“This cannot be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation.
“Let me thank the team captain William Troost-Ekong for being hands-on and communicating very efficiently and effectively on the facts of the matter as it concerns our national team in Libya.”
Earlier, the Communications Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire disclosed that the players had decided not to honour the game after captain Troost-Ekong tweeted the same position.
Libya lost the first leg of the double-header 1-0 in Uyo last Friday, with the result leaving them with just one point from three matches in the qualifiers.
