AFCON Qualifiers: FG Summons Libyan Diplomat Over Eagles’ Mistreatment

FG has summoned the Libyan diplomat to address the mistreatment of the Super Eagles during their AFCON qualifier in Libya, seeking an explanation for the ordeal.

The Nigerian Federal Government has called in the Libyan Chargé d’Affaires in Abuja following reports of the Super Eagles being mistreated during their stay in Libya for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Upon their arrival, the Nigerian team encountered major difficulties, such as being stranded and lacking adequate transportation, which led to widespread outrage.

Following a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuga spoke to the media and expressed profound disappointment regarding the incident, describing it as “unfortunate.”

Tuga confirmed that officials from Nigeria’s mission in Libya have been sent to meet with the Super Eagles’ delegation and communicate with local authorities to address the situation.

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Tuga stressed that the Nigerian government is treating the matter with seriousness and anticipates complete cooperation from Libyan officials to promptly resolve the issue.

He also emphasized that the well-being of Nigerian teams overseas is a top priority and promised to take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

He expressed that it was truly an unfortunate situation, explaining that the Super Eagles had traveled to Libya for a match. He also mentioned that the Libyan team had visited here last week.

They were expected to land in Uyo, but instead, they mistakenly landed in Port Harcourt. Additionally, our team was headed to Libya when their plane got diverted unexpectedly to another airport.

Unfortunately, there is no aviation fuel available at that airport. We have decided that aircraft must refuel and depart immediately; we cannot allow them to stay longer.

“It’s fortunate that when the Libyan delegation arrived in Kano, they were able to get some cartons of water; otherwise, even access to water would have been an issue.”

In short, we’ve made contact with them. We’ve dispatched members from the mission to represent us there, and they are now in communication with the delegation.

“I am now also in direct communication with the chairman of the Nigerian Football Federation. Since last night, we’ve been on calls with the Chargé d’Affaires because Libya currently does not have an ambassador here.”

“We’re in contact with the Chargé d’Affaires, and I’m returning to the ministry where we’ve called upon the Libyan Chargé d’Affaires. It’s crucial that this issue is resolved swiftly. We are actively managing the situation.”