Players and officials were stranded for hours at a Libyan airport on Sunday and denied access to food and the internet as they prepared to honour their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with the Mediterranean Knights.
It took diplomatic efforts and social media callouts for the team to be cleared to finally leave Libya.
Two days after the ordeal, the minister weighed in on the issue during an interview.
“The Port Harcourt Airport where they arrived is one of our best airports. That Port Harcourt Airport, there is no circumstance that will lead to a team having the footballers lie on the floor,” he said. while dismissing allegations by the Libyan side that their players were badly treated during their first encounter in Nigeria.
“All these things were created deliberately to create some make belief. If this was an issue, it should have been made an issue there and then.”
He also spoke on the efforts of the Nigerian government both diplomatically and otherwise to handle the situation.
CAF Complicit?
When asked if the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was explicit in the whole saga, the minister did not categorically answer the question.
Rather he said the CAF Secretary General did not allow the NFF President an opportunity for communication.
He decried a situation whereby the CAF did not comment for about 13 hours after the Nigerian players were subjected to that harsh treatment in Libya.
“I called the attention of CAF yesterday morning to the fact that when that happened and the NFF was on the ground trying to sort out whatever logistics, the CAF Secretary General didn’t allow the President one minute of continuous contact and pressure.
“Yesterday morning, it was about 12, 13 hours. How come 13 hours after our team is so subjected, there is no indication that CAF is in direct communication with the Libyan Football Federation?
“If there are such two authorities in Libya, does Libya offer a good environment for international matches of this nature to be hosted in the country?” he questioned.
Libya Deny Any Wrongdoing
Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo last Friday in Group D and the teams were set to meet again in the fourth round in Benghazi on Tuesday.
Furious at the way they were allegedly treated, the Nigerian delegation returned home on Monday,
A Libyan Football Federation statement said: “We reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.
“There are no grounds to accuse the… Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating the incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.
“It is important to highlight that just last week our own national team faced significant challenges upon arrival in Nigeria.”
CAF reacted to the incident by saying in a statement that they had been in contact with Libyan and Nigerian authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF disciplinary board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated CAF statutes and regulations,” it said.
