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UPDATED: Super Eagles Arrive In Nigeria After Libyan Airport Nightmare

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The Super Eagles have arrived in Nigeria after their ordeal in Libyan for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Players and officials were stranded for about 13 hours at a Libyan airport ahead of the game which was supposed to take place on Tuesday.

Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral early Monday, prompting condemnation.

But hours later, the team landed in Kano after Libyan authorities cleared their flight to take off.

https://x.com/WTroostEkong/status/1845874814067630417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1845874814067630417%7Ctwgr%5Ea58c2a381b5674311ef37ab9c8827e78aad09283%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F

“BACK HOME SAFE & SOUND.

Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken.
Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome,” the team’s captain William Troost-Ekong said on his X handle.

“I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer TOGETHER.”

Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface said the Super Eagles have returned home.

“Back to Nigeria,” Boniface wrote.

The Nigerian players and officials had landed in the North African country ahead of the match. But after their flight was rerouted from Benghazi where the game was meant to hold.

They were denied access to food and other supplies with some members of the team taking to social media to lament about the incident.

That prompted condemnation across the globe with Nigerian authorities describing the incident as “unfortunate”.

The Minister of Sports Development John Enoh likened it to “almost hostage” and said the Super Eagles were no longer taking part in the game.

“To say the least, they face an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sportsmen set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday!” he said.

“For now, our primary concern is the safety of the members of our national team. With the events of the past hours, their safety is not guaranteed and the team insists they’re unable to go ahead with the match not just because of the trauma and consequent psychological torture but also because of fear for their safety.”

Inconsistent With Our Values’

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied accusations of wrong-doings and claim its team faced a similar situation when they played the Super Eagles in the first leg of the encounter last week.

“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident.

Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles,” the LFF said and linked the delay to logistical issues and other challenges.

Action Will Be Taken’

But the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) had said it was going to probe the “disturbing conditions” after reaching out to the Nigerian and Libyan authorities.

“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” CAF said.

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CAF Suspends Hakimi, Thiaw, & Fines both Morocco and Senegal

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The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed significant sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), along with several players and officials from both nations.

The penalties stem from incidents that occurred during and after the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final match, which violated the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of fair play, loyalty, integrity, and respect for match officials.

The decisions were announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, following a review of disciplinary reports from the high-profile final held in Rabat, Morocco.Sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF):

– A fine of USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute.

– A fine of USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of its players and technical staff.

– A fine of USD 15,000 for team misconduct, due to five players receiving cautions (yellow cards).

– Total fines on FSF: Approximately USD 615,000.

Individual sanctions for Senegal include:

– Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute (linked to events such as a brief team protest over a late VAR decision).

– Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behavior toward the referee.

Sanctions on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF):

– A fine of USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behavior of stadium ball boys during the match.

– A fine of USD 100,000 for the conduct of players and technical staff (including invading restricted areas).

– A fine of USD 15,000 for fans’ use of lasers (as reported in some summaries).

– Total fines on FRMF: Approximately USD 315,000.

Individual sanctions for Morocco include:

– Player Achraf Hakimi suspended for two CAF matches (with one potentially suspended for a year in some reports).

– Other players, such as Ismaël Saibari, facing suspensions of up to three matches and fines.

The CAF Disciplinary Board also reportedly rejected a formal protest from the FRMF alleging violations by Senegal, confirming Senegal’s status as AFCON 2025 champions.

These measures mark one of the stricter disciplinary responses in recent AFCON history, aimed at upholding the integrity of the competition amid the chaotic scenes that overshadowed the final.

Both federations have the option to appeal certain decisions through CAF processes.

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Super Eagles captain Ndidi mourns father’s death

” We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.

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• Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi

Sunday Ndidi – the father of Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, died today in a road accident at Umunede, Delta State.

The retired military officer was confirmed dead after being rushed to a hospital at Agbor, also in Delta State.

Ndidi’s club, Besiktas, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.

Ndidi recently captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he also scored his first international goal for the country.

While celebrating his headed goal against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match, the midfielder referenced his father and his admiration for former Nigeria captain Kanu Nwankwo.

The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi told journalists in Morocco.

“So I just thought about my dad. I had seen the video before, but it came to my head, and I said I was going to do it for my dad.”

Ndidi, who often speaks about growing up with his father in the barracks, was born and raised in Lagos.

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Lagos to host Davis Cup World Group II playoff

Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.

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The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club will host Davis Cup World Group II playoff between Nigeria and Uzbekistan from 6–8 February 2026.

The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochie, who disclosed this, said that hosting the event will significantly contribute to the development of lawn tennis in the country.

Prince Kunle Oyekanmi, publicity secretary of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, expressed confidence in the club’s ability to host a world-class tournament.“We are committed to ensuring a successful championship that will leave a lasting mark on the sport globally,” he said.

Oyekanmi added that the Davis Cup will inspire young and upcoming Nigerian players to pursue lawn tennis more passionately.

Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.

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