Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), has narrated how the Super Eagles players and team officials got food during the dehumanising treatment meted on the three-time Africa champions by Libya.
The Nigerian delegation arrived at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, at about 5.50pm local time on Monday after the federal government decided that the Super Eagles should return home pending the outcome of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) investigation into the debacle.
The Nigerian team was stranded at a Libyan airport for over 16 hours after their flight was diverted from Benghazi.
Following Nigeria’s defeat of Libya in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, a return leg for the ongoing AFCON 2025 Qualifier was fixed for Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday.
Ahead of the return leg, the Nigerian team was expected to land at Benina International Airport from where they were to connect Benghazi, host city of the game, but instead the chartered flight, which conveyed them was diverted to Al Abaq International airport, which is only used for hajj operations.
Strangely, Libyan Football Federation (LFF) officials were not on ground to receive the players and officials in line with established protocol.
Hence, the NFF made arrangements for the trip by road to Benghazi, but the officials at the airport reportedly denied access to the bus, leaving the players and officials stranded.
Narrating how the Nigerian delegation were able to feed during the stalemate at the Libyan airport, Olajire said: “At daybreak, Mr. Maurice Eromosele, president of the Nigerian community in Eastern Libya, arrived with words of empathy from the Ambassador of Nigeria to Libya, His Excellency Alhaji Muhammad Muhammad.
“He expressed shock at the treatment meted out to the Nigeria delegation, who were made to spend the entire night inside the departure lounge of the Al-Abraq Airport.
“He said His Excellency ordered him to get a few things for the team, and he later returned with plastic bags loaded with croissants and drinks. These served as breakfast for the team.”
