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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 2025: Libya Sent Isakaba Bus to Pick Super Eagles – Victor Boniface

Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface has taken to Twitter to share a clip of the bus Libyan authorities brought to pick up the Super Eagles from the Al Abaq Airport.
He described the bus as “Isakaba bus”, sent to pick the Super Eagles from the airport.
However, the team refused to board the bus.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been stranded at the airport for over 13 hours after landing in Libya.
Libyan authorities had diverted the chartered ValueJet aircraft carrying the Super Eagles to a small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport on Sunday night.
The Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the Nigerian team from the airport to their hotel, which is said to be three hours away in Benghazi.
But, posting the video of the bus on X, Boniface wrote: “See Iskaba bus wey them bring come yesterday. Nobody enter ooo.”
 
The Super Eagles are scheduled to play Libya on Tuesday, following their 1-0 win in the first leg on Friday in the African Nations Cup, AFCON, qualifiers.
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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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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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Super Eagles Star, Ola Aina Reveals Reasons For Wearing Sagging Shorts

Ola Aina, the Nigerian international and Nottingham Forest defender, has opened up about his habit of sagging his shorts during football games.

Aina, known for his strong presence on the pitch, has often been seen with his shorts sitting lower than usual, a style that has sparked curiosity among fans.

Sagging of shorts in Nigeria often refers to the practice of wearing shorts or trousers below the waistline, often revealing a part of the u

nderwear or, in Aina’s case, sitting loosely around the hips.

While many might assume it’s a fashion statement, Aina revealed that his reasons are far more practical.

“Yeah, that’s, from young I’ve always been doing that. And it’s not for fashion or anything, there’s a reason towards that,” Aina said in an interview with Fanstribe released on Wednesday.

“You see this man?” he added, pointing at his thighs, “The size? And the one behind,” he continued, gesturing towards his buttocks, “It’s too big, so the shorts, it always goes up, you know, and it’s too uncomfortable.”

Aina went on to clarify that he chooses larger shorts to avoid the discomfort.

“So that’s why it’s always loose, so I take bigger shorts, you know, and this is why,” he said laughing

“Exactly, now you guys just leave me now,” he added.

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AFCON 2025Q: Nigeria vs Libya – Date, Time And Where To Watch

The eagerly awaited 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights is scheduled to be held at Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo.

This match marks a key moment in Group D, as international football returns to the screen for fans across the continent.

After two matchdays, Nigeria leads the group, having secured four points, while Libya lags at the bottom with just one point.

The Super Eagles are in strong form, going undefeated in their first two qualifiers.

They opened their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin Republic and followed up with a goalless draw against Rwanda.

Libya, however, has struggled in the group stages. The Mediterranean Knights earned a 1-1 draw in their home opener against Rwanda but suffered a defeat on the road against Benin, leaving them with one point in the standings.

Nigeria’s solid start in the qualifiers puts them in a favorable position to secure a place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.

The Super Eagles also hold a psychological and historical advantage, having won all previous encounters with Libya.

However, the Mediterranean Knights will aim to defy expectations, seeking at least a draw in Uyo.

Despite Nigeria being the favorites, they will be without their top forward, Victor Osimhen, who has been in exceptional form since joining Galatasaray. His absence may test the team’s attacking prowess.

Time and Where to Watch Nigeria vs. Libya

The first leg of the Nigeria vs. Libya clash is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024, with a 5 PM local time kick-off. Fans can catch the action live on AfroSport TV.

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Too Much Stress – Jose Peseiro Reveals Reasons For Leaving Super Eagles Role

Jose Peseiro, the former Super Eagles head coach, has disclosed d the reason he decided not to continue with the job.

The Portuguese was in charge of the three-time African champions for 22 months and guided the Super Eagles to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire

The 64-year-old left the post after his contract expired in February.

Peseiro said he left the post because of the pressure and stress that comes with it.

”I decided that when I finish the AFCON, I will leave. I had put too much effort in my job, it was too much stress. Everyone supported me – my family and the players but I grew fatigue, I thought it was enough for me, even if I had won the AFCON,” Peseiro told SABC Sport.

Despite the challenges he encountered while managing the Super Eagles, Peseiro said the “job was special”.

”Nigeria was an amazing job, with good players. We played very well in the AFCON. I think our team was the best until we lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the tournament,” added vastly travelled coach.

Peseiro is still without a job since leaving Nigeria. The former Venezuela coach said he is waiting for the right project.

”I am waiting for a good job, for a good step. It is true there were offers from South Africa, Europe and in Brazil as well, but I didn’t take any and feel good for those jobs. Someone called to tell me about the Sundowns job and about other things but until now, nothing special,” he remarked.

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Super Eagles Need A New Jay Jay Okocha – Siasia Says

Samson Siasia, a former Super Eagles head coach, says he believes the team is currently lacking a creative midfielder.

Siasia said the Super Eagles need a playmaker in the mould of former captain of the side, Austine Jay Jay Okocha to be a world-beater.

Nigeria is yet to find a suitable replacement for Okocha since the former Bolton Wanderers star quit international football in 2006.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi was expected to take up the role but failed to live up to expectations.

Fulham star, Alex Iwobi has been used in the number 10 role in recent years but Siasia claimed he is not good enough to play the position.

“We don’t have an offensive midfield player that can give the last pass to the strikers. We have great strikers, but we need someone that is missing,” Siasia told Lagos Talks.

“Iwobi can not play that position. He’s a good player, but he’s not doing as much as he’s supposed to as an offensive player. We have to look for that person in the centre of the field, who can give the last passes and score goals.

“In the defence and other parts, right and left midfield, we are good. We need someone like Jay-Jay Okocha, but it has to be somebody that can score more than him.”