Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun has spoken out against the unfair treatment of the Nigerian national team, who have been stranded at a Libyan airport for over 13 hours.
Although Balogun is not part of the current squad, he took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to express his frustration, calling on CAF (Confederation of African Football) to investigate the incident and hold the Libyan authorities accountable.
Nigeria vs. Libya: Controversy Clouds Return Fixture
The Super Eagles defeated Libya 1-0 on Friday in Uyo, with the return leg scheduled for Tuesday, October 11. However, the Nigerian team’s arrival in Libya took a troubling turn.
Upon landing on Sunday, their flight was unexpectedly diverted from its original destination. Since then, the players and staff have been held at the airport, reportedly without access to food, water, or basic amenities. The airport gates have also remained locked, preventing the team from leaving.
Balogun’s Statement on Social Media
Balogun, visibly angered by the situation, shared his thoughts on his X handle;
“Hey @CAF_Online – surely you’re going to investigate thoroughly and take action, right? Whoever is responsible for this needs to be held accountable. This is unacceptable!”
Nigerian FA Plans Emergency Evacuation as CAF Remains Silent
With the team still stranded, the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF is now working on contingency plans to bring the players and staff back to Nigeria.
CAF has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, raising concerns about how the situation is being handled. The lack of communication from the governing body has drawn criticism, highlighting what some see as a failure to address critical issues affecting African football.
The unfolding events have cast a dark cloud over the upcoming match, with the Super Eagles’ participation in Tuesday’s fixture now in serious doubt.
