By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for maintaining their spirit despite their challenging ordeal in Libya.
Simultaneously, he expressed deep sadness over the treatment endured by the national football team, characterizing it as inhumane and unsportsmanlike.
While heartily welcoming the team’s safe return, the President calls for accountability from the Libyan authorities.
The Super Eagles returned to Nigeria after facing a distressing ordeal at a Libyan airport that left players and officials stranded for about 13 hours.
This incident occurred ahead of their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday.
As players slept on benches, photos of their discomfort circulated widely on social media, prompting public outrage and condemnation.
The team’s flight was cleared for takeoff only after extensive delays, leading to their eventual arrival in Kano for a brief stop before heading to Abuja.
Following the ordeal, the Nigerian Football Federation decided to withdraw the Super Eagles from the upcoming match.
Tinubu urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate measures against those who violated the organization’s statutes and regulations.
The president praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, highlighting their efforts in addressing the unfortunate situation and ensuring the players’ safe return.
He recognized football’s power to unite nations and expressed his disappointment at the treatment of the Super Eagles, which contradicted the spirit of sportsmanship.
Captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to express his pride in the team, stating, “NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken.
Throw at us what you want; it’s in our blood to overcome.”
One of the team’s member, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, simply noted, “Back to Nigeria.”
The experience of the Super Eagles at the Libyan airport not only raised concerns about player welfare but also spotlighted the need for better support and safety for national teams during international travel.
Not a few fans and officials rally behind the team in the hope that such incidents will not be repeated in the future.
