BY SAB OSUJI
Hon Augustine Onyekachi Ike, Chairman, Anambra State House Committee on Youth Development and Sports, has commended the leadership of the Nigerua Football Federation, NFF, over the decision to call the bluff of the Libyan antics and promptly withdrawing the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s (tomorrow’s) Africa Cup of Nations group D match day four tie against the Mediterrenean Knights of Libya, Silvernews.com.ng reports.
Super Eagles edged the North African side 1-0 in the match day 3 tie at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday.
The Nigerians sit top of the group standings with seven points, with Benin Republic second on six points with Libya sitting bottom of the group D standings.
Super Eagles flew out of Nigeria on a ValueJet aircraft on Sunday for the reverse fixture billed for the Martyrs Benina Stadium, 8pm Nigeria time (9pm Libyan time) on Tuesday, 15 October, 2024.
But shamefully, the Nigeria aircraft was diverted to an obscure and far away Airport when it was already close to its original Benghazi Airport destination.
There at the ‘airstrip’, the Super Eagles were ‘abandoned by the Libyan authorities for close to over 14 hours with clearance, no water, no food.
Consequently, a distrust Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, called the bluff of the Libyan antics and ordered the team by home.
The team had to fly back on Monday after refueling at Benghazi airport.
Honourable Augustine Onyekachi Ike, Chairman of Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Youth Development, heaped praises on NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for his pragmatic response to the Libyan antics.
The lawmaker opined that the lives of Nigerians far outweighs the three points expected from the match, stressing with the apparent volatile security concerns in the North African country, NFF took the best decision in the best interest of the entire Nigerian Nation.
“I join the millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to condemn the antics of the Libyan authorities”, the House Member representing Nnewi North Constituency, said to Silvernews.com.ng.
“The NFF boss acted wisely, timely and in the best sporting interest of the nation and deserves commendation.
“It’s unfortunate that Libya could decide to treat Nigeria this way after all the good gesture that was extended to them when they visited last week. Football is not ‘war’. Its a unifying factor across nations and beats my imagination why they could decide to go this vile lane.
“Youths are strong heritage of any nation and as true leaders of tomorrow, they should be treated with all meassure of decency and respect”.
Hon Ike urged CAF to look into the Libyan action with a view to wielding the big stick so as to serve as a deterent to others.
“CAF should investigate this and sanction the culprits. That’s the only way to clean up the football industry in the African continent”, the House Committee on Sports and Youth Development Chairman stressed
