The Plight of the Super Eagles: Stranded at Libya’s Airport

Recent images have surfaced online, showcasing members of the Nigerian Super Eagles resting on airport benches after facing an unexpected delay in Libya. This situation arose as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is making arrangements to bring them back home.

Since Sunday, October 13, the Super Eagles have been held at Al Abraq Airport by Libyan football authorities in anticipation of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday, October 15.

Among those photographed was Calvin Bassey, a Fulham player, who was spotted dozing off in his national team tracksuit. Additionally, captain William Troost-Ekong was also seen taking a nap on one of the seats, seemingly unfazed by the surrounding circumstances.

In contrast, striker Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen struggled to find rest, choosing instead to stay awake with headphones on while working on his laptop.

According to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Kabiru Amadu, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, has publicly criticized the poor treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya. He noted that the actions of the Libyan Football Federation extend beyond football, tarnishing the reputation of African football as a whole.

Amadu commended the players for their unwavering patriotism during this trying time and assured that the safety of the Super Eagles is a priority for the Nigerian government.