AFCON qualifiers: FG summons Libyan diplomat over Super Eagles’ mistreatment

The Federal Government of Nigeria has summoned the Libyan Charge d’Affaires in Abuja in response to the reported mistreatment of the Super Eagles during their stay in Libya for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

The Nigerian team faced significant challenges upon their arrival, including being stranded and denied proper transportation, sparking widespread outrage.

After meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuga addressed the media, expressing deep disappointment over the incident, calling it “unfortunate.”

Tuga confirmed that officials from Nigeria’s mission in Libya have been dispatched to meet with the Super Eagles’ delegation and engage with local authorities to resolve the situation.

Tuga emphasized that the Nigerian government is taking the matter seriously and expects full cooperation from Libyan officials to ensure the issue is addressed promptly.

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He also assured that the welfare of Nigerian teams abroad is a top priority and pledged efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He said, “Well, it’s the most unfortunate situation, because the Super Eagles flew to Libya to play a match. As you know, the Libyan team was here (last week).

“They were supposed to land in Uyo instead, they went and landed in Port Harcourt, where they were not supposed to land. And now our team has gone to Libya, and somehow the plane gets diverted to a different airport.

“And unfortunately, at that airport, there is no aviation fuel, because what we have decided is they need to refuel and get out, we will not be able to allow them to continue.

“You know, it’s a good thing when they (Libyan delegation) landed in Kano they actually even got some water, some cartoons of water otherwise even water would have been a problem.

“But suffice it to say that we have established contact with them. We have sent people from the mission to go there, representing the mission. They are in touch with the delegation.

“Now I am also communicating directly with the chairman (off the Nigerian Football Federation) and since last night, we have been on the phone with the Chargé d’affaires because Libya doesn’t have an ambassador here.

“So we are in touch with the Chargé d’affaires, and I’m heading back to the ministry now, where we have summoned the Libyan Chargé d’affaires. This issue has to be resolved as quickly as possible. So we are on top of the situation.”