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AFCONQ: CAF Postpones Libya vs Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football, CAF has announced the postponement of Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifier between Libya and Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Tuesday.
The game was slated to be played this evening in Libya.
In an official statement, CAF indicated that the fixture would not proceed as planned.
The football body did not, however, provide specific reasons for the postponement.
CAFF will now take the matter to the appropriate bodies for further consideration.
The statement added, “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifier fixture between Libya and Nigeria will not take place as scheduled tonight,” the short statement reads.
“The matter will be referred to the competent CAF bodies.”
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Super Eagles Arrive Nigeria After Ordeal In Libya

The Nigerian Super Eagles have arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State, after their harrowing ordeal in Libya ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The players and Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, officials were stranded for over 13 hours at Al Abraq airport in Libya ahead of the game which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, October 15, in Benghazi.

They arrived in Libya on Sunday but their flight was diverted to an airport which is two hours from their destination. They were also not allowed to leave the airport and they had no access to necessities like food, water, or a place to rest.

Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral, prompting condemnation from Nigerian authorities and football fans.

Following the ordeal, they vowed not to play in Libya and they later revealed that their plane was being fueled so they could return to Nigeria.

They have now arrived in Nigeria.

Super Eagles Captain,  William Troost-Ekong and goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali took to their Instagram pages to confirm their arrival.

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CAF Issues Statement On Treatment Of Super Eagles In Libya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a statement concerning the ill-treatment of Nigerians in Libya.
CAF frowned at the development and has now referred the case to its disciplinary board.
See statement below:
 
“The Confederation of African 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 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.”
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AFCON: Eguavoen Recounts ‘Traumatic Experience’ at Libya Airport

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen has described his team’s ordeal in Libya as traumatic.
According to him, they went through a “horrible ordeal” in Libya.
The Nigerian contingent were held hostage at an abandoned airport, more than two hours drive from the venue of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.
The team was denied access to water and food.
The Super Eagles later pulled out of the game and returned to Nigeria on Monday evening.
“Thanks to the Libyans for letting us go, but it was a horrible 18-20 hours of experience and we don’t want to go through that again,” said Eguavoen on arrival in Nigeria Monday.
 
“We were held hostage, we could not have played this match under these circumstances.
 
“We know how football can unite the entire world, but in this regard, for them to act like this, I cannot comprehend seriously.”
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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: CAF Forcing Super Eagles to Play Against Libya – Sports Minister

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has given an update concerning Nigeria’s match against Libya after the Super Eagles were held hostage in the country.
Reacting, Enoh claimed that the Confederation of African Football, CAF, are “insisting” that Nigeria play Libya on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles players have said they will boycott the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, after they were held hostage at the Al Abraq Airport over 15 hours after arrival in Libya.
But in a post on X, Enoh revealed that he has spoken to CAF president, Patrice Motsepe and the Secretary-General, Mosengo Omba.
He tweeted: “This morning, I was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General.
 
“While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team to participate in tomorrow’s match.
 
“I have instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first,the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.
 
“There must be a serious adverse consequence to the Libyan football federation for this unspeakable behaviour.
 
“This can not be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation.”
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AFCON Qualifiers: Libya vs Nigeria – Date, Time And Where To Watch 2nd Leg Fixture

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are getting ready for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

Nigeria enters the clash in strong form, remaining undefeated in their first three group matches.

They started their campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, followed by a goalless draw away to the Amavubi of Rwanda.
In their most recent fixture, the Super Eagles edged out Libya with a 1-0 win, securing their top position in Group D.

Libya, however, faces a more difficult path. The Mediterranean Knights currently sit at the bottom of Group D, having managed only one point from three games.

After a 1-1 draw at home against Rwanda in their opening match, they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Benin Republic and another 1-0 loss to Nigeria.

Despite their struggles, Libya will be aiming to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming match against Nigeria.

The second leg presents an opportunity for them to seek revenge and improve their standings in the group.

Libya vs Nigeria: Time, date and where to watch

The match, set to take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, will kick off at 8 PM local time. Fans can watch it live on AfroSport TV.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Nwabali Trolls Libya Over Time-Wasting Antics

Stanley Nwabali, the Super Eagles goalkeeper, has trolled the Mediterranean Knights of Libya for their time-wasting antics.

Nasser Al-Hadiri’s side frustrated the Super Eagles by feigning fouls on different occasions during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Friday.

Nigeria won the game 1-0 with Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru netting the decisive goal four minutes from time.

Commenting on the time wasting tactics used by the Libyans, Nwabali wrote in pidgin with a laughing emoji on his X handle: “Who come wise pass?” This translates to mean, ‘Who is the wiser person now?’, referring to how the Libyans tried to play smart by wasting time.

Libya will host the Super Eagles in a matchday four encounter in Benina next week Tuesday.

A win in the game will see the Super Eagles seal a place at the AFCON 2025 finals which will be hosted by Morocco.

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Ballon d’Or: I Would Vote For Ademola Lookman – Atalanta Coach, Gasperini Says

Gian Piero Gaseperini, the Atalanta manager, has said his Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman.

Lookman is the only African player nominated for the award this year.

The Super Eagles wrote his name in history books, after he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.

Gasperini has now said that feat is enough for him to vote Lookman.

He told Sky: “My personal Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman.

“His magic skills helped us to win the Europa League.”

The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be announced on October 28.

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Ballon d’Or Organizers Announce New Rule For Winner

The organizers of the Ballon d’Or awards, France Football, are set to implement a new rule from this year.

With over two weeks left before the ceremony takes place on October 28, there have been whispers about who will take the prize home.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is widely expected to be named winner ahead of names like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodri.

Vinicius was outstanding as Los Blancos won the LaLiga and Champions League titles last season.

But according to The Athletic correspondent, Mario Cortegana, the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will not be interviewed by France Football before the award is held – as it was always the tradition.

Cortegana claims the winner will know he has won when the envelope is opened during the live ceremony.

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AFCON Qualifiers: Osimhen Is Spiritually With Us Against Libya – Eguavoen Says

In preparation for Nigeria’s Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya in Uyo on Friday, coach Austin Eguavoen stated that the team has sufficient firepower to compensate for Victor Osimhen’s absence.

Osimhen would not feature in the two-legged tie after suffering an injury during Galatasaray’s Super Lig encounter against Kasımpaşa on September 28.

The diagnosis revealed a strain and minor bleeding in his left posterior muscle group and that meant he will not recover in time for the trip to Uyo.
In his pre-match interaction with the media, Eguavoen said although Osimhen is a key part of the team, there are those who will step up to the challenge.

“It’s a huge miss. We all know how important and impactful Osimhen can be, but we have other players who can fit into his shoes. He’s not here physically, but I am 100% sure he is here spiritually with us,” Eguavoen told NFF TV.

After Friday’s game at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, the Super Eagles will travel to fulfil the reverse fixture next Tuesday, October 15.

Nigeria currently tops Group D with four point from two games.

Tomorrow’s fixture will kick-off 5 PM Nigeria time.

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