The Super Eagles have safely returned to Nigeria following their harrowing experience at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team was stranded for over 18 hours without basic necessities.
This was disclosed in a post by the Nigerian national team captain, William Troost-Ekong, on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Daily Patriot reported that the Nigerian national team faced prolonged inhumane treatment ahead of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against the Libyan national team, prompting the Nigerian government to recall the footballers.
Upon arrival in Nigeria on Monday, October 14, 2024, the team’s captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to express his relief and commend the resilience of his teammates.
“BACK HOME 🇳🇬 SAFE & SOUND,” he posted on his X account.
“Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken. Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome,” he said.
Reflecting on the incident, Mr Troost-Ekong said, “I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this. It’s an experience that has brought us even closer together.”
His comments come amid heightened calls and protests from different quarters with calls for sanctions against the Libyan national team.
The incident has sparked diplomatic efforts to address the matter, with the Nigerian authorities vowing to ensure accountability over the team’s ordeal.
Following updates on the matter, Daily Patriot had reported that the Nigerian national team and captain Troost-Ekong have at separate times announced the Nigerian Super Eagles’ decision to withdraw from the match.
This newspaper also reported that the Nigerian government had summoned the Libyan Chargé d’Affaires to address the reported maltreatment of the Super Eagles at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.
The decision to withdraw from the qualifier and return to Nigeria was made after the team endured what officials described as “inhumane treatment” upon arrival, a situation the Nigerian government has condemned as unacceptable.
