Julius OkorieSuper Eagles players have been given a huge pat on the back for showing high sense of maturity in Libya despite the disgraceful and painful treatment they were put through by Libyan authorities.
Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, who conveyed the message to the team on behalf of the Federal Government, noted that in the midst of their excruciating pain what mattered to the President and the people of Nigeria was their safety and nothing more.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNigerians he noted kept vigil and were following the development with ultimate show of patriotism while praying for their safe return home. Addressing the Nigerian contingent as they arrived home the minister said:
“You went through what I could describe as dead experience having to be forced to land in an airport without facilities and having to wait for over 20 hours in a very terrible atmosphere.
“But your great show of maturity in spite of what you went through, you remained calm and remained mature, and that is the spirit of typical Nigeria and I thank you and welcome you back to Nigeria.”
Following the ugly incident, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already condemned the Libyan show of shame and has referred the matter to its disciplinary board to investigate and dish out punishment accordingly.
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Nigeria currently leads the group with seven points followed by Benin Republic with six points. Benin Republic face Rwanda today in Kigali and should the Cheetahs pull a win, they would overtake Nigeria with nine points.
CAF’s ruling following the show of shame in Libya will equally decide on what to do about the cancelled match.
The options include awarding three points to Nigeria who remained calm in the face of provocation and who honoured the match with all intent of playing before the Libyan antics scuttled the fixture.
Treat it as a draw came with a point to each team which will leave Nigeria with eight points and still on course to AFCON 2025 in Morocco. There is however likely to be a fine, an additional migraine for the Libyan FA.
Eagles are expected to observe today as rest day to refresh after the ugly incident in Libya and will begin preparation for return to their various clubs in Europe from tomorrow.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
