The Super Eagles should depart Al-Abraq Airport anytime soon after the Libyan government finally issued clearance for the Airline to fly the Nigerian team back home directly from the airport where they have spent more than 14 hours, New Telegraph has learnt.
The clearance also included selling aviation fuel to the airline that brought the team to Libya.
Our correspondent gathered that Libyan authorities had proposed that the Nigerian national team land first in Benghazi before flying back to Nigeria but the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) rejected this suggestion, expressing concern over safety and the lack of need for a stopover in Benghazi, which they claimed had been busy just yesterday.
The NFF has stood firm, demanding clearance from Al-Abraq Airport that would allow the team to fly directly back to Nigeria.
“They came with gimmicks to issue a pre-clearance to land in Benghazi first before we fly to Nigeria. The same Benghazi that was busy yesterday. The NFF has insisted that the clearance from Al-Abraq airport must be for the team to fly directly to Nigeria,” said Tobi Adepoju a member of the Nigerian contingent to the country
Meanwhile, Nigeria has rejected a plea from the Confederation of African Football to have the African Cup of Nations qualifiers played tomorrow as scheduled. to boycott tomorrow’s match
The CAF President had reached out to Minister of Sports John Enoh, asking the country to step down its decision to boycott the match but rejected the idea, insisting the Nigerian team is not no longer physically and mentally stable to prosecute the match amid tense security situation in the country.
“We are waiting patiently for your verdict. This case will test the integrity of Motsepe and CAF Excos including our brother and uncle Pinnick. “We just confirmed that the CAF President has spoken with Nigeria’s Minister of Sports pleading for the game to be held tomorrow. This is a shameful attempt,” Adepoju added.
