The Nigerian Football Federation NFF has announced that arrangements are underway to bring the Super Eagles back to Nigeria after the team reportedly endured inhumane treatment in Libya ahead of their 2025 AFCON qualifier. According to the NFF, the players have decided to boycott the match, citing unacceptable conditions and concerns for their safety.
This incident comes after similar complaints from Rwanda’s national team, which encountered poor conditions during a recent visit to Libya for an AFCON qualifier. Libya, in turn, had raised concerns about their treatment upon arriving in Nigeria for the first leg of the qualifier in Uyo, which Nigeria won 1-0.
Editorial
The decision of the Super Eagles to return home rather than face the uncertain conditions in Libya reflects a stand on player safety that should be a priority in international sports. The situation serves as a reminder that, despite football’s power to unite, it also requires organisations like CAF to ensure fair treatment and secure environments for all teams. This isn’t just a matter of points or match outcomes; it’s about valuing the well being of athletes representing their nations.
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The Super Eagles have been stranded for over 15 hours at an abandoned airport in Libya following their arrival, with no immediate assistance from local authorities. Captain William Troost-Ekong voiced the team’s unanimous decision not to proceed with the game, stating, We will not play this game. Safety is a priority, and we will not travel by road here, even with security. Troost Ekong also expressed worries about the team’s accommodation and food if they continued the trip.
For Nigeria, this boycott underscores a larger issue of safeguarding national teams and ensuring they are not placed in conditions that compromise their health and safety. It also conveys that respect and reciprocity are essential in the global sports arena. As fans, we expect Nigerian football to uphold these values and hope for concrete actions that address such concerns in the future.
Did You Know?
- The African Cup of Nations AFCON qualifier matches are overseen by the Confederation of African Football CAF, which is responsible for managing such international tournaments.
- The Super Eagles have won the AFCON title three times, making them one of the most successful teams on the continent.
- International teams are generally accorded diplomatic support, though local government permissions often limit embassies’ immediate involvement.
- Libya and Nigeria have previously faced each other several times in AFCON qualifiers, with Nigeria holding an advantage in head-to-head matchups.
- Player safety concerns have led to several historic instances of team withdrawals or postponements in international sports due to inadequate facilities or security risks.
