Sports

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

Published

2 years ago

October 14, 2024

282 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

Governor Adeleke Remodelling Osogbo Stadium to 15,000 Sitting Capacity

Adeleke expressed happiness at the involvement of several foreign technical partners working with the contractors to ensure that the new stadium meets FIFA standards and eventually secures FIFA certification.

Published

3 days ago

April 21, 2026

OCHEFA

55 Views

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has commenced work on remodelling Osogbo Township Stadium from 4,000 to 15,000 sitting capacity.

In a statement , Governor Adeleke emphasised that the increased capacity will attract major sporting events to boost the development of all games in the state.

He commended the speedy and qualitative ongoing remodelling of the stadium.

“This is the way to finally integrate Osun into the mainstream of sports development in the country.

“As a sports-loving governor, I am eager to ensure that the Osun Sports Trust Fund becomes operational,” he said.

Sports

Former NFF chairman Ibrahim Galadima dies at 78

His funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano.

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2026

OCHEFA

48 Views

A former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Galadima, is dead at the age of 78.

His funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano.

Galadima, who also held the traditional title of Galadiman Fagge, died on Saturday evening at a hospital in Kano, according to his younger brother, Abba Galadima.

The late administrator was widely regarded as a key figure in Nigerian football, having played a major role in shaping the sport during his tenure.

He served as chairman of the football federation between 2002 and 2006, a period marked by efforts to strengthen the organisation and enhance Nigeria’s presence on the international stage.

Sports

FIFA to introduce halftime show at 2026 World Cup final

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the development, revealing that the show will feature multiple performers.

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2026

OCHEFA

53 Views

FIFA will introduce a halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final for the first time in the tournament’s history, with Nigerian artists potentially taking centre stage amid the global rise of Afrobeats.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the development, revealing that the show will feature multiple performers.

The lineup is being curated by Chris Martin and the band’s manager, Phil Harvey.

The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.

Organised in partnership with Global Citizen, the halftime show is expected to be a landmark moment.

Infantino described it as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”

In addition to the halftime performance, FIFA is planning a major “takeover” of Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

(The Nation)