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
Benue Governor Alia dissolves Lobi Stars FC board
The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the Board and Management of the state-owned Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi.
Lobi Stars FC were relegated last season after a 27-year stay in the Nigeria Premier Football League, following a run of poor performances.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the governor’s approval of the dissolution in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The move was described as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the club for “greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance” in the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.
The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions,” the statement read.
Governor Alia directed that “all members of the dissolved management should hand over all official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity with immediate effect.”
Sports
Davido Chairs Osun Sports Trust Fund
“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”
•Davido and Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke. Photo Credit: X
The Osun State Government has appointed Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund.
The government said that the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion.
The Guardian Nigeria reports that the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, said the state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is determined to transform the stadium into a world-class sports arena that will not only host national events but also attract international competitions.
He said, “Ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium to meet Olympic standards — a project that will be completed in the shortest possible time.
“I am pleased to inform you that plans are in advanced stages towards the establishment of the Osun State Sports Commission, which will serve as a central body for sports administration, development, and policy implementation.
“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”
Sports
Dembele returns for PSG after six weeks out
Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.
• Dembele
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was on Monday included in Paris Saint-Germain’s squad to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League after a six-week injury layoff.
According to AFP, Dembele’s return for Tuesday’s league stage game will come as a welcome boost for coach Luis Enrique, whose side has been struggling with injuries this season.
Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.
He had been recuperating at a specialist clinic in Qatar and returned to training last week.
He missed out on PSG’s entertaining 3-3 draw against Strasbourg on Friday but could play some role in Germany as the European champions seek to make it three wins out of three in the Champions League so far this season.
Leverkusen centre-back Loic Bade, Dembele’s teammate in the France squad, told reporters Monday there was “no secret recipe” to stopping the PSG forward, calling him “a complete player with several qualities”.
“He won the Ballon d’Or — of course he’s got a lot of quality. He’s good with both feet. I don’t think he’s got a weak side,” Bade said.
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