‘It’s a shame’ - Former Super Eagles star slams Libya for their revenge act on Nigeria

Osaze Odemwingie, a former Super Eagles star, has criticised Libya for their alleged act of retaliation against the Nigerian Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles took a trip to Libya for their 2025 AFCON second-leg clash and were supposed to land at the Benghazi Benina airport before being diverted to the Al Abraq International Airport.

The Nigerian team was denied access to food and internet for more than thirteen hours after their safe landing and was not permitted to exit the airport.

In response to this incident, the Libyan Football Association released a statement asserting that they had the same experience upon arriving in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria, for the first leg.

Osaze reacts after Super Eagles ordeal in Libya

In an interview with Brila, Osaze disclosed that rather than endanger player lives in an effort to get revenge, the Libyan squad could have lodged an official protest if they were mistreated.

He said, “It’s a shame to see things like this happen. It’s scary because diverting a plane to another airport is a whole different level. I don’t know who was behind this, but it clearly went too far.

Osaze Odemwingie former Super Eagles player || X

“If they had complaints about how they were treated, they could have filed an official complaint. I’m sure Nigeria as a country, can get things right, we can offer them apologies or explain things.

“You don’t without any explanation jump into extremes, that was extreme. The main people in football are always footballers and I’m sure this whole situation became toxic that even Libyan players are not happy. 

Super Eagles players abandoned in Libya || X

“Some people might not even want to play football after this for their country. It’s very disappointing because if football people were in charge of such things will never happen.

Super Eagles players abandoned in Libya || X

“But, this a case of non-football people, without passion or love for the game, come in and upset things.”

The situation led to the Super Eagles and the NFF delegates abandoning the match and returning to Nigeria.