Sports

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

Published

2 years ago

October 14, 2024

373 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

Cape Verde faces defending world cup champions , Argentina today

The Atlantic archipelago have become one of the fairytale stories of this year’s expanded 48-team tournament, confounding expectations by earning a draw with Spain before squeezing into the last 32 ahead of Group H rivals Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

OCHEFA

28 Views

A classic David versus Goliath encounter will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as tiny Cape Verde face Lionel Messi and Argentina with a place in the last 16 at stake.

Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, face the defending champions in Miami dreaming of pulling off what would be the greatest upset in World Cup history.

Argentina, who breezed into the knockout rounds with the help of six goals from captain Messi, will be expected to swat aside the African qualifiers to move one step closer to their dream of back-to-back World Cup titles.But Cape Verde insist they will not be overawed by the occasion and the prospect of sharing a field with the reigning world champions and eight-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi.

Sports

Team Nigeria Targets 20 Golds at Commonwealth Games

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Charles Flames

34 Views

Nigeria’s sports authorities have expressed strong confidence in Team Nigeria’s chances at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with officials projecting a haul of between 16 and 20 gold medals.

The optimism was expressed during the official unveiling of the national team ahead of the competition.

Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, said the athletes have enjoyed better and earlier preparations than in previous competitions, and noted that all necessary logistics, including training and travel arrangements have been provided, leaving the athletes with the responsibility of delivering success for the country.

Shaibu said the commitment, determination and quality displayed by the athletes have convinced him that Nigeria can achieve at least 20 gold medals at the Games.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the National Institute for Sports to strengthen grassroots sports development and expand talent discovery across the country.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, stated that preparations for the Games began long before the competition through talent identification and strategic planning.

According to him, the team will arrive in Glasgow about 20 days before the opening of the Games to allow athletes acclimatize and improve their performance.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission Director-General, Bukola Olopade, explained that the medal projections are based on careful planning and sustained preparation over the past year and a half. He said the Commission remains committed to providing the support needed for athletes to achieve the country’s targets.

Olopade, however, warned that indiscipline would not be tolerated within Team Nigeria, stressing that athletes must adhere to the Commission’s rules and resolve concerns through official channels, and warned that misconduct or actions capable of damaging the team’s image could attract sanctions, including expulsion from the contingent.