The Minister of Sports, John Enoh, has condemned Libyan authorities’ treatment of the Super Eagles, describing it as an “almost hostage situation” after the Nigerian team was left stranded ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Benghazi.

The Nigerian contingent, scheduled to arrive in Benghazi for their match against Libya, was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport used mainly for hajj operations. With no support from the Libyan Football Federation, the players and officials were left without transportation, food, or accommodation for over 15 hours.

In a statement on Monday, Enoh said, “I strongly condemn the obnoxious treatment meted out to the Super Eagles, who arrived in Libya yesterday for the reverse leg of their AFCON 2025 Group D qualifiers.” He emphasized that the safety of the team is the government’s primary concern, adding that their well-being has been compromised by the lack of proper arrangements and basic necessities.

Enoh revealed that he had reported the situation to various authorities, including the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), urging immediate action to ensure the team’s safety and safe return.

Despite CAF’s focus on ensuring the match goes ahead, Enoh stressed that Nigeria’s priority is the safety of the Super Eagles, calling for serious consequences for the Libyan football authorities over their treatment of the team.