'Held hostage somewhere' - Eguavoen reveals what worried Super Eagles players passed through in Libya

Nigeria's interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has spoken about the difficulties the Super Eagles faced at the hands of the Libyan authorities. 

The Super Eagles players and officials' landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja on Monday evening after opting to pull out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.

The Libyan delegation to Uyo complained they were not properly treated when they came to Uyo last week, 
which led to them retaliating by harassing the Nigerians when they arrived in Libya.

After their plane was diverted to a remote location, the Nigerian national team remained stuck at La Abraq Airport without food, water and internet access before making the final decision to withdraw from the matchday four Afcon qualifier. 

Eguavoen suggested that the Super Eagles were held hostage for several hours and explained the reasons behind their decision to withdraw from the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Speaking to Arise News shortly after the team's arrival in Abuja, Eguavoen said: "It was actually a tough one. We left here since Sunday afternoon, then we arrived Libya at about 7:30 pm which is 8:30 pm local time.

"From that yesterday till now, should I use the word held hostage somewhere, we couldn't get out. It was a bit of trauma for everyone but the thing is I can't really comprehend what must have informed that.

"We all know how football can unify nations, can unify people and for Libya to act in that manner was very strange to me. 

"However, I want to say big thanks to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the quick intervention especially the Minister of Sports.

"Another good thing is I won't say the boys are not worried but mentally they are strong. It would have been nice to come back home with three points. Unfortunately the game didn't hold. 

"No game would have been played under such circumstances but the good thing is we are back home and thank the Libyans for letting us go . It took a while. I don't understand what happened.”

The Confederation of African Football has already said that its Disciplinary Board will look into the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigerian national team in Libya, who did not receive their guests with the utmost welcome.

"Absolutely, the comment from the captain last time when they came here triggered the whole thing which was not correct, though they apologized during the pre-match meeting here," Eguavoen remarked. 

"It was their fault that they landed in Port Harcourt and Nigeria will never treat any team like this.

"The public was incited for some reason, they started acting funny. You know football unifies people but they did apologize that it was not their fault but maybe they had another strategy or another game plan in mind."

One of the implications of the Super Eagles forfeiting Tuesday evening's match against Libya is that they could be penalized by CAF if they don't provide a convincing argument that they were harassed by the Libyans, with no buses to transport the players from the airport and a standard hotel to accommodate the team.

"There is no way we would have played under such circumstances. If you were there live, then you will understand what I'm saying. It was tough.

"At some point the president said we have to go out of the airport to look for a hotel, they won't even let us out, so how do you interpret that?

"No food. Thanks to ValueJet for the snacks they gave us on arrival. That's what we ate. This morning a guy came from the embassy, he brought us piece of bread, that's what we had, so there's no way we would have played.

"CAF definitely will look into it. We have enough evidence. I think CAF will be fair,” Eguavoen concluded. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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