Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country.
She noted that traveling by road in Libya is most dangerous and
totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country.
The team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for their return
match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue
of the match.
The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours
of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road
travel in Libya, considering the situation of the war-torn country.
Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to
the country and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will
advise appropriately.
She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness
it deserves.
Already, the players, the pilots, and others on board the flight
had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13
hours without water, food, rest, and other means of communication.
"The team was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than
13 hours without any tangible reason."
The Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday, and
they were required to travel by road to their destination.
However, there was no provision made for them by the Libya
authorities, and all efforts to make alternative provisions by Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) was frustrated.
Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm and why
the Nigerian Football Federation will decide the next line of action.