Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has strongly criticized the treatment of the Super Eagles by Libyan authorities ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.
Calling the situation a “violation of diplomatic protocols,” Dabiri-Erewa urged the Nigerian government to take swift action to protect the national team.
In a statement issued on Monday by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, and shared on social media, Dabiri-Erewa expressed her outrage at the challenges faced by the Super Eagles.
Titled “AFCON 2025 QUALIFIERS: Treatment of Super Eagles Players in Libya Despicable,” the statement detailed the harsh conditions the Nigerian squad encountered upon arriving in Libya for their return leg match.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the dangers of road travel in Libya, a country still struggling with instability. “Traveling by road in Libya is extremely risky and inadvisable given the war-torn state of the country,” she warned.
After leaving Nigeria on Sunday, the Super Eagles were unexpectedly diverted to a remote Libyan airport, far from the match venue. This diversion forced the players to endure a grueling three-hour road trip to reach their destination. Dabiri-Erewa labeled the situation “unacceptable,” adding that it unnecessarily placed the team in harm’s way.
“It is unacceptable that our national team is subjected to such treatment on the international stage,” she declared, calling on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to promptly intervene.
The situation escalated when the players, along with the pilots and other personnel, were stranded at the Libyan airport for over 13 hours, without access to essential items like food, water, or adequate rest facilities.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, Libyan authorities failed to provide proper accommodation for the team during this extended delay. “The team was held at the airport for more than 13 hours without any valid reason, and efforts by the Nigerian Football Federation to make alternative arrangements were hindered,” she revealed.
Despite the ordeal, Dabiri-Erewa called for calm, urging the Super Eagles to remain focused as the NFF and the Nigerian government work to resolve the matter.
“The welfare of our players is of utmost importance, and we trust that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will handle this situation appropriately,” she added.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many demanding better treatment of African teams in international competitions. Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to advocating for the protection and dignity of Nigerian players wherever they compete.
“Our players deserve better treatment, and we will continue to push for their safety and respect,” she concluded.
