Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has strongly condemned the treatment faced by Nigeria’s Super Eagles by Libyan authorities during their preparations for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match. She labeled their experience as “despicable,” emphasizing that it represented a serious breach of diplomatic etiquette. In light of these troubling events, Dabiri-Erewa called on the Nigerian government to step in urgently to safeguard both the safety and dignity of the players as well as uphold national pride on the international stage.
In a statement released through NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa detailed the significant hurdles faced by the Super Eagles upon their arrival in Libya. She highlighted the inherent dangers of road travel in Libya, a country currently grappling with instability due to ongoing conflict. Dabiri-Erewa described traveling by road as extremely perilous and insisted that such circumstances should never dictate the conditions under which a national team operates.
The situation escalated when the Super Eagles’ flight was unexpectedly redirected to a remote airport, necessitating an additional three-hour journey to reach the match venue. This unexpected detour posed serious risks to the players’ safety. Noting the unacceptable nature of this treatment at an international level, Dabiri-Erewa urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take immediate and effective action regarding the situation. She underscored that necessary steps must be taken to prevent such occurrences from happening again in the future, as player welfare is of utmost importance.
Further compounding the ordeal, the Super Eagles, which included players, pilots, and other accompanying personnel, found themselves stranded at the Libyan airport for over 13 hours without access to fundamental necessities like food, water, or proper resting facilities. Dabiri-Erewa remarked on the lack of adequate provisions made by Libyan authorities to accommodate the football team’s needs. Despite the appalling conditions, she encouraged calm among the players, stressing that the focus should remain on their performance while the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) works with the government to determine the next appropriate steps.
The widespread concern over the incident has stirred conversations about the treatment of African teams in international competitions. Dabiri-Erewa’s sentiments reflect a greater demand for improved conditions and respect for players across the continent. By advocating for better treatment, she reinforced the belief that Nigerian athletes deserve to participate in international events without enduring such distressing situations.
Concluding her statement, Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the need for the protection and dignity of African footballers, pledging ongoing efforts to ensure that their welfare is prioritized during competitions. She emphasized that the current episode should serve as a catalyst for change, inspiring actions that will elevate the standards for all teams competing on the global stage, thus fostering a more favorable environment for players and enhancing the sport’s reputation across Africa.
