Sports
Just In: Super Eagles Set for Airlifting From Libya, following Presures from Nigerian Govt
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), on Monday, called on CAF to treat the matter of stranded Super Eagles team in war-torn Libya, with the seriousness it deserves.
This is even as Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the matter is being handled with urgency.
In a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its AFCON 2025 QUALIFIERS second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country.
Tuggar, said that following the ordeals, the Nigerian government summoned Libya’s chargé d’affaires in an effort to resolve the situation involving the Super Eagles, who were left stranded in Libya after their flight was diverted.
He disclosed that steps are being taken to refuel the plane and ensure the national football team’s swift departure from Libya.
Tuggar added that authorities have been in contact with the team and have sent officials from the Nigerian mission to provide assistance.
Earlier, Dabiri-Erewa noted that travelling 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 its 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 advice appropriately.
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 were 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.
Sports
WAFCON 2024: Nigeria’s Super Falcons defeats Morocco 3-2
The hosts came flying out of the blocks and scored twice. But the Falcons came out strongly in the second half and scored through Esther Okoronkwo’s penalty.
The Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, defeated Morocco on Saturday night to win the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Falcons pulled off a remarkable 3-2 comeback win over host nation Morocco, completing what they dubbed #MissionX.
The West Africans had to fight back from two goals in the first half to win 3-2 in Rabat.
The hosts came flying out of the blocks and scored twice. But the Falcons came out strongly in the second half and scored through Esther Okoronkwo’s penalty.
Okoronkwo then turned provider for Folashade Ijamilusi who drew Nigeria level.
Jennifer Echegini then got on the end of a free-kick to score a late winner.
The victory means Nigeria have now won a record-extending 10 WAFCON titles.
Sports
FIFA opens major Africa office in Rabat
The opening of the office follows a signing of a Host Agreement last December in Marrakech between the key stakeholders: FIFA, the Kingdom of Morocco and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
World soccer governing body, FIFA, has opened its major Africa office in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, further confirming the North African country as the hub of its operation on the continent.
The new office will coordinate with existing FIFA regional offices in Brazzaville, Dakar, Johannesburg and Kigali, in directing and implementing key policies for the development of African football across all levels.
The state-of-the-art office at the Mohammed VI Complex aims to strengthen support for African federations in their development projects and further reflects FIFA’s desire to establish a lasting presence on the continent.
The opening of the office follows a signing of a Host Agreement last December in Marrakech between the key stakeholders: FIFA, the Kingdom of Morocco and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Rabat becomes the latest city to host a FIFA office after Paris, Miami and Jakarta, and reinforces FIFA’s engagement with all regions and affirms commitment to developing football across the globe.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Today is certainly a wonderful day, it’s a special day, a glorious day, a joyful day.
We will write, in gold letters, the wonderful history of FIFA, of football in Africa, of football in Morocco, of football in the world.
“It’s an incredible and beautiful complex, and I want to start by thanking Morocco, thanking His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for making this possible.
“It is witness to a country that is projected into the future, to a continent that is projected into the future, and to the work that all of us do for this incredible sport.”
Hulk Hogan, the iconic face of professional wrestling in the 1980s who parlayed his prowess in the ring into an acting career, has died at the age of 71, US media reported today.
Hogan — known for his towering 6’7″ (two-meter) physique, bandana and distinctive blond handlebar mustache — died at his home in Florida, NBC News reported, citing his manager Chris Volo.
TMZ also reported the news, citing unnamed sources.
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