Colin Udoh, ESPNO Special Correspondent October 14, 2024, 7:06am
Close travel writer. In my previous life, I was an engineer. A black belt. I love soccer and am also interested in other sports.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations upset between Nigeria and Libya has taken on a spicy dimension, with both sides accusing the other of pre-match travel sabotage.
The Super Eagles plane was originally scheduled to land in Benghazi for the second game of the back-to-back series, but was redirected to another airport 150 miles (240 kilometers) east, team spokesperson Promise Efoge said. It is said that it was done.
“With about an hour to land and approaching its destination in Benghazi, the Nigerian plane was diverted to another city more than two hours away by car,” Efoge said.
While delegations from Ghana and Sudan, who are playing matches in the same city on the same day, were allowed to land, Libyan authorities were not available for comment on why the Nigerian plane was diverted.
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Conversely, Libyan captain Faisal Al Badri claimed his team was badly treated in Nigeria ahead of the Super Eagles’ 1-0 win and appealed for reciprocity.
“Our baggage check was on board for an hour, and even though we were traveling on a private plane and had an airport close to the city we wanted to play in, our journey from one city to another was also delayed by three hours. , he said.
“After a long time, two cars from the Libyan embassy arrived, as well as three minibuses without air conditioning and a police car.
“The question is, how long will we continue to receive this kind of reception? While other teams are welcomed with the best airports and hotels, we always have to be patient in the face of this. Do you?”
“We have been troubled by this problem for many years and, although we intend to tolerate it, there must be a solution to these practices. express the need.”
Libya coach Milutin Sredojevic gestures on the sideline during the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers as the series against Nigeria gets tough. Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images
However, these claims were disputed by the NFF. Emmanuel Ayabunmi, the NFF’s director of protocols, told ESPN that the Libyans were the ones behind their own chaos.
Ayabunmi said: “I spoke at length with the LFF general secretary on Monday and he never hinted that his team would arrive on (the following) Tuesday. He only said he would contact me. But he never contacted me.
“On Monday evening, the advance dispatcher from LFF called me and said that his team would arrive by noon on Tuesday. We made all the arrangements to meet the team in Uyo upon arrival. Arranged.
“It was only an hour after the team took to the skies that he told me that the delegation would land in Port Harcourt.It disrupted a lot of things, but we were still They raced through the hurdles to get permission from the authorities to fly their plane to Port Harcourt,” said Uyo, who completed immigration formalities in Port Harcourt.
“Apparently, it would mean additional costs to the LFF from the charter company and they did not want that, so they preferred to travel from Port Harcourt to Uyo by land.”
The problem spilled over into the game, with both teams spending much of the game in time-wasting gamesmanship until Fisayo Dele-Bashilo broke the deadlock with four minutes remaining. And they were furious when the referee added just four minutes of stoppage time.
Fisayo Dele-Bashir celebrates the goal between Nigeria and Libya in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, on October 11, 2024. Provided by: Nigeria Football Federation
Nigeria coach Austin Eguavoen said his team will not be distracted by off-field shenanigans in the second leg. “As someone who has traveled all over Africa, playing for and coaching national teams, we have seen much worse.
“We have to get the players focused, rested and ready for the game. We have a task to get six points from these two games. We have achieved half of that and now we have to We have to focus on achieving the other half. It’s unfortunate that things like this are still allowed to happen, but we can’t get distracted.”
Eguavoen’s immediate challenge is figuring out how to get the most out of misfiring forward Victor Boniface. The former defender supports the striker to score goals if he plays more directly and says he will need help from the bench.
“Boniface is a good finisher and a clinical striker, but he has struggled in national colors,” admitted Eguavoen. “Sometimes these opportunities don’t come easily.
“I remember what happened in Rwanda and also against Libya. When you get a half-chance, a striker like Romario will tip his toe on the ball. But he wants to dress it up and , then the defender recovers. So if he scores on time, I will. I think he will score a lot of goals, I will talk to him about it. ”
Eguavoen’s options look limited after Taiwo Awoniyi’s lack of form following his arrival, potentially giving the Bayer Leverkusen player a chance to prove he can replace the injured Victor Osimhen. Highly sexual.
Nigeria’s recent results in away qualifiers have been less than flattering, but Eguavoen has shown a knack for navigating the treacherous waters of African football.
Three points in Libya would seal his spot, but he and his team would be just as happy with just one point, leaving him with enough runway to finish the job with another round of qualifying.
