By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) considers “the next line of action” over the treatment of the team in Libya.
After defeating Libya in Uyo, Nigeria last Friday by a single in a qualifying match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Nigerian national football team left the shores of the country on Sunday for the second leg in Libya.
However, since arriving in the North African country, the team has been at the airport, awaiting a bus to convey them to the venue of the match slated for Tuesday in Benghazi.
As a result of being left stranded at the Al Abraq Airport for over 12 hours without food or water, the Super Eagles said it was boycotting the game.
But Mrs Dabiri-Erewa has appealed to the team to be calm.
She condemned the action of the Libyan authorities, describing it as “despicable.”
In a statement signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit at NiDCOM, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the former lawmaker said it was wrong to suggest to the team to travel by road in Libya because of “the current situation in the country.”
“The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya, considering the situation of the war-torn country,” a part of the statement said.
She said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advise appropriately.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.