By Milcah Tanimu
Last week proved challenging for Nigerian football as the Super Eagles faced tough conditions in Libya. Following a narrow 1-0 win in Uyo during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the team traveled to Benghazi for the second leg. However, Libyan authorities redirected their flight mid-air to the abandoned Al Abraq airport. Players, officials, and even the Nigerian Football Federation president found themselves stranded for over 15 hours without food, water, or internet access.
Exhausted and frustrated, the Super Eagles refused to play the scheduled match. After intervention from the Nigerian government and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the team finally left Libya. CAF has since removed the fixture from its schedule pending a disciplinary decision.
Player Updates After Returning
After returning from Libya, players rejoined their respective clubs. Here’s how they fared:
Africa, United States, and Saudi Arabia
- Stanley Nwabali: The Super Eagles goalkeeper made four saves in Chippa United’s League Cup clash against TS Galaxy. Unfortunately, his team lost 1-0 after extra time.
- William Troost-Ekong: The captain played the full 90 minutes for Al Kholood in their 1-1 draw against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
- Alhassan Yusuf: He assisted New England Revolution’s second goal against Inter Miami. However, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi led a Miami comeback, resulting in a 6-2 victory.
Europe
- Bruno Onyemaechi: Boavista rested him for their 1-0 Taça de Portugal loss to Varzim.
- Moses Simon: He performed well for Nantes, providing an assist for Matthis Abline’s opening goal in their 1-1 Ligue 1 draw with OGC Nice.
- Ademola Lookman: He struggled during Atalanta’s 2-0 Serie A win against Venezia and exited at halftime.
- Frank Onyeka: He played 85 minutes in Augsburg’s 3-1 Bundesliga defeat to Freiburg.
- Victor Boniface: After missing an early penalty against Eintracht Frankfurt, he recovered to score the winner in the 71st minute, securing a 2-1 victory. Unfortunately, hours later, Boniface was involved in a car accident but escaped with minor injuries.
- Samuel Chukwueze: Returning from injury, he scored the only goal in AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Udinese. Maduka Okoye, also part of the Libyan trip, played in goal for Udinese but couldn’t stop Chukwueze’s well-placed shot.
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru: Nigeria’s goal-scorer in Uyo remained on the bench during Lazio’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus.
- Raphael Onyedika: He provided an assist in Club Brugge’s 2-1 Jupiler Pro League win over Westerlo.
- Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke: Both played for Sevilla in their match against Barcelona. Ejuke started but had to leave with an injury just before halftime during the 5-1 defeat.
- Bright Osayi-Samuel: He did not feature in Fenerbahce’s squad during their 2-2 draw with Samsunspor.
England
- Semi Ajayi: He played solidly in West Brom’s 1-1 Championship draw with Oxford United.
- Benjamin Tanimu: Crawley Town coach Robert Elliot gave him his debut, bringing him on as an 83rd-minute substitute in their 4-1 loss to Reading.
- Wilfried Ndidi: He controlled the midfield for Leicester City in their thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Southampton, where Joe Aribo also featured.
- Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi: Both played the full 90 minutes as Fulham, reduced to ten men, lost 3-1 to Aston Villa.
- Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi: They have been named in Nottingham Forest’s squad for their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace later tonight.
