Sports

Just In: Super Eagles Set for Airlifting From Libya, following Presures from Nigerian Govt

Published

9 months ago

October 14, 2024

16 Views

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

BREAKING: Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai dies at 61

Published

9 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Charles Flames

21 Views

Nigerian goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai, is dead.

Dodomayana, as he is fondly called, died on Thursday morning after a prolonged illness.

Peter Rufai is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

He competed professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, in a senior career that lasted 20 years.

Rufai represented Nigeria in two World Cups and as many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

The family is yet to announce his death.

Sports

JUST IN: Liverpool star Diogo Jota, brother dies in car crash days after his wedding

Published

18 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Charles Flames

30 Views

Liverpool star, Diogo Jota has tragically died at the age of 28 following a road traffic accident in Spain.

The Liverpool forward passed away following an accident in Zamora, Spain on Thursday morning.

Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, later confirmed that Jota’s brother, Andre, 26, also died in the accident.

The news comes just under two weeks after the Portugal international got married to his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso, with whom he has two children. They tied the knot on 22 June.

Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash with a statement which read: “The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.

A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire.

“1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.

“From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”

Proenca paid tribute to Jota in a statement on social media shortly after the news broke.

He said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.

“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.

“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.

Diogo Jota recently got married to Rute Cardoso”

The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.

“Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy.

“Portugal prime minister Luis Montenegro also paid tribute on social media.

He wrote: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured the name of Portugal, and his brother is unexpected and tragic.

“I leave the family my deepest condolences. It’s a sad day for football and for national and international sport.”

Jota’s previous club, FC Porto, also paid tribute to the forward and his brother.

They wrote: “FC Porto is in mourning. “It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks.

Rest in peace.”Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds, including six last season as the Reds won the Premier League title.

He also won the FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool and the Nations League twice with the Portugal national team.