‘That’s how you killed Gadaffi’, angry Nigerians knock Libya over maltreatment of Super Eagles

Nigerians have heavily criticised Libya for maltreating Super Eagles in the botched attempt to play the second leg of the AFCON 2025 Qualifier game. The Nigeria’s national team had departed for Libya on Sunday afternoon but the team was diverted to AI Abraq Airport where the players were stranded for several hours. Lamenting the situation […]

‘That’s how you killed Gadaffi’, angry Nigerians knock Libya over maltreatment of Super Eagles

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Nigerians have heavily criticised Libya for maltreating Super Eagles in the botched attempt to play the second leg of the AFCON 2025 Qualifier game.

The Nigeria’s national team had departed for Libya on Sunday afternoon but the team was diverted to AI Abraq Airport where the players were stranded for several hours.

Lamenting the situation in a post on his X handle, Super Eagles player, Victor Boniface, had said the team was left stranded with no food, Wi-Fi and sleep at the AI Abraq Airport, an hour to landing at their destination in Benghazi.
Responding in a statement on Monday morning, the Libya Football Federation (LFF) said the incident was not deliberate and could occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel.
It added that its national team had faced similar challenges upon its arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
The situation has sparked reactions among Nigerians, with many criticising Libya for maltreating the Nigeria’s national team.
On X, formerly Twitter, CFCsmiles @mrsmiles65 wrote: “That’s how you guys killed Gaddafi”

@Ahmedmusa718: “I’m extremely disappointed by the unjust treatment of the Super Eagles, the NFF officials, as well as dignitaries in Libya.
This is not sportsmanship, and I want the football governing body,
@CAF_Online
to intervene and investigate this incident.
I stand with the players in this difficult time. ❤️👏🫂”

@ColinUdoh: “Disgraceful what Libya has done. To divert a plane to a different airport and hold a national team hostage for 15 hours with no food, water, or any accommodations is criminal. This is beyond football, and @CAF_Online must send a message with tough sanctions against Libya”

@oldboydidi: “I’m sorry to say this but Some airports don’t deserve to be called international airports. Imagine football players of a nation, some are even able to hire their private jets in the country but choose to travel as a team. And get stranded like school going kids. Africa why 😢”

@RapidRover99: “Even local players should not be treated like these. You and the team should stay strong my captain.”

@odogwu_ogidi: “This is terribly disappointing. All involved in this mess should be ashamed and be held accountable.”

@AatifAstro: “Absolutely inhuman & horrible!! ⚽️🇳🇬
I have been raising my voice for your well-being, safety, & safe travels back to your homes for the last many hours now. I hope authorities should immediately make contact with all of the Nigerian players who are being held hostage at the airport.🙏🏿📢”

Rowland🤍
@Ghana_Ronaldo: “Owww but how can these be done to professional players at this level , this is too bad 🥹…. This is very disrespectfullllll tbh”

Ada Anambra @AdaAnambra2023: “No true Nigerian would support what Libya did to the Super Eagles.”

Niyi Daniels @_NiyiDaniels: “Making our Super Eagles stars stranded at the Al Abaq Airport in Libya is Distasteful and inhumane😑”

Olaifa Olaleye Leo @Rotleo3819: “This is also show what Nigerians that travel to that country face,Libya team should be banned. This is so bad😭”

Joe Steve💜 @JoeSteve02: “This is so frustrating, they should report the case to CAF. Libya🇱🇾 needs to be sanction.”

Omo Kogi (Yagba)🦅🦍 @Oladapomikky1: “The worst thing about all these happening…Libya will still lose the match. That will be a big shame to the nation Libya 🇱🇾”

Big_Jay @Mbagwu_John_C: “Maybe we have to teach small Libya A lesson they won’t forget”

ceejay @ceejay550: “Nigeria beat them 1-0 when they came to Nigeria few days ago. They know Nigeria will beat them again in their home. They are just trying to avoid the humiliation Nigeria will do to them.”

On Facebook, Divine Favour Jnr wrote: “That doesn’t erase the fact that Libya is Last on the table, should the points be awarded to them freely. Cos dey way we for use this anger beat una for una home ehnnn. Efulefu like Ghadafi people”

Peter Monday Okeoghene: “Dear Libya, the Nigerian Super Eagles didn’t kill Gaddafi. Don’t put your lifetime frustrations on them. Besides, we all know you will never make it to the tournament even if all the opposition teams gift you their 3 points. So chill.”

Sman Kano: “Those people who killed Gaddafi are capable of doing anything, our Nigeria players, just pray that you return home safely”

Ikedi Obinna: “Nigerian go to country that never know the value of a human being a country that connive with Europeans and kîll there own brother Gaddafi this is the country you people think anything good can come out of no the country is a mess from Adams”

Usman Idris Ibrahim: “Those people who killed Gaddafi are capable of doing anything, our Nigeria players, just pray that you return home safely”

Stephen Gzoz: “Dear Libya, the Nigerian Super Eagles didn’t kill Gaddafi. Don’t put your lifetime frustrations on them. Besides, we all know you will never make it to the tournament even if all the opposition teams gift you their 3 points. So chill.”

WHO IS GADDAFI?

Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi ( 1942 – 20 October 2011) was a Libyan revolutionary, politician and political theorist who ruled Libya from 1969 until his assassination by rebel forces in 2011. He came to power through a military coup, first becoming Revolutionary Chairman of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the ‘Brotherly Leader’ of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011. Initially ideologically committed to Arab nationalism and Nasserism, Gaddafi later ruled according to his own Third International Theory.