Sports
UPDATED: Super Eagles Arrive In Nigeria After Libyan Airport Nightmare
The Super Eagles have arrived in Nigeria after their ordeal in Libyan for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Players and officials were stranded for about 13 hours at a Libyan airport ahead of the game which was supposed to take place on Tuesday.
Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral early Monday, prompting condemnation.
But hours later, the team landed in Kano after Libyan authorities cleared their flight to take off.
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“BACK HOME SAFE & SOUND.
Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken.
Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome,” the team’s captain William Troost-Ekong said on his X handle.
“I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer TOGETHER.”
Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface said the Super Eagles have returned home.
“Back to Nigeria,” Boniface wrote.
The Nigerian players and officials had landed in the North African country ahead of the match. But after their flight was rerouted from Benghazi where the game was meant to hold.
They were denied access to food and other supplies with some members of the team taking to social media to lament about the incident.
That prompted condemnation across the globe with Nigerian authorities describing the incident as “unfortunate”.
The Minister of Sports Development John Enoh likened it to “almost hostage” and said the Super Eagles were no longer taking part in the game.
“To say the least, they face an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sportsmen set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday!” he said.
“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.”
‘Inconsistent With Our Values’
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied accusations of wrong-doings and claim its team faced a similar situation when they played the Super Eagles in the first leg of the encounter last week.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident.
Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles,” the LFF said and linked the delay to logistical issues and other challenges.
‘Action Will Be Taken’
But the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) had said it was going to probe the “disturbing conditions” after reaching out to the Nigerian and Libyan authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” CAF said.
Sports
CAF announces free e-visas for fans attending AFCON Morocco 2025
“Electronic visas to enter Morocco — obtained through the YALLA app — are now free of charge for supporters attending the competition, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026,” said CAF.
The Confederation of African Football and the AFCON Morocco 2025 Local Organising Committee on Friday announced that fans travelling to the tournament will be eligible for free electronic visas.
In a statement on its website, CAF said that the policy benefits citizens of countries that normally require a visa to enter Morocco.
“Electronic visas to enter Morocco — obtained through the YALLA app — are now free of charge for supporters attending the competition, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026,” said CAF.
The governing body said the announcement comes amid growing global demand for Africa’s biggest football event, with more fans booking tickets.
It explained that fans need two documents, a fan identification and an e-visa, to stay in Morocco and enter football stadiums throughout the tournament.“A Fan ID is mandatory for entry to all stadiums and official Fan Areas.
Supporters can apply for both the Fan ID and e-visa in one place inside the YALLA app, streamlining travel and stadium access.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness ahead of their crucial semi-final clash against Gabon in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs. The match takes place on Thursday in Rabat, Morocco, against Éric Chelle’s Panthers.
The Super Eagles overcame a slow start in the qualifiers to secure their place in the playoffs, and Bassey says the squad is now fully focused on achieving victory.
“I think we started very slow, but hope has been restored. We just have to make sure that we keep going and take the game as it comes. We are Nigeria, a massive nation, and we know there is a lot of expectation and responsibility,” Bassey told Sporty TV.
The encounter, which carries high stakes for both teams, is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time. Analysts expect a tightly contested match, as Gabon, led by Chelle, have also shown resilience in the qualifiers.
With strong backing from Nigerian supporters both at home and in Morocco, the Super Eagles are aiming to continue their impressive run and book a place in the final stage of the World Cup playoffs. Bassey emphasized that the team is focused on maintaining composure and executing their game plan effectively under the high-pressure environment.
“We understand the expectations of our nation, and the unity and support from our fans give us an extra boost. It’s time to show the world the quality of Nigerian football,” Bassey added.
Tonight’s match is poised to be a defining moment for Nigeria’s World Cup campaign, with both teams vying for a place in the final and a step closer to qualification.
Nigeria’s Falconets began their WAFU B Women’s Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating Ghana’s Black Princesses 3–1 in their opening match on Saturday.
Janet Akeremkowei was the standout performer, scoring twice for Nigeria, while Favour Nkwocha added a third goal to seal the victory.
Akeremkowei opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 40th minute, setting the tone for a dominant display by the Falconets against their West African rivals.
The win places Nigeria in a strong position as they aim to progress from the group stage and contend for the regional title.
Both teams are expected to return to action later in the week as the tournament continues.
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