Libyan Football Federation President resigns
CITIZENS COMPASS —After hours of being stranded at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya, the Super Eagles have arrived at their home county, Nigeria.
The team arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.
The officials and players took the decision to return home after their ordeal in Libya ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Super Eagles, who departed Nigeria on Sunday, had their flight unexpectedly diverted to a remote airport far from the match venue, resulting in an additional three-hour road journey to their destination.
The situation worsened as the players, pilots, and other personnel were stranded at the Libyan airport for over 13 hours without access to necessities like food, water, or a place to rest.
Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral early Monday, prompting condemnation from Nigerian authorities.
However, the team has now landed in Kano after their flight was cleared to take off in Libya.
The Confederation of Africa Football, CAF has reacted to the Super Eagles ordeal at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya.
In a statement on Monday, CAF described the long-hour delay experienced by the Super Eagles players and coaches at the Libyan airport as “disturbing and unacceptable”.
The African football governing board noted that the matter has been referred to its disciplinary committee for appropriate action.
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities,” the statement reads.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
Amidst the crisis, President of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, has resigned from his position during a routine meeting of the Federation’s General Assembly.
According to The Libya Observer, an online publication based in Tripoli, the Libyan Football Federation President decision was announced on Sunday, and the resignation was confirmed in a post on their website on Monday.
