After more than 14 hours of being delayed at Al Abraq International Airport, the Libyan government cleared the Nigerian flight to bring the players and officials back home.
Several Super Eagles players including captain William Troost-Ekong.
“Power of social media. Apparently, our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support!” he wrote on Twitter now X.
“I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, and delays happen. But never on purpose!”
Power of social media. Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support! 🇳🇬
I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
The development came after pressure from several quarters, prompting the Libyan Government to agree on issuing clearance for ValueJet Airline to fly and sell aviation fuel to it.
Another Super Eagles star Bruno Onyemaechi, wrote that the team was heading back.
“Thank God I’m going back,” he said.
Me and Libya I done washed my hands commot nothing concern me and una again thank God going back home 🦅🇳🇬🙏🏾
— Onyemabruno70 (@BrunoOnyemaechi) October 14, 2024
Some sports journalists including Adepoju Tobi Samuel, popularly known as OgaNlaMedia also spoke about the development.
He said: “After pressure from several quarters, the Libyan government has agreed to issue clearance for ValueJet Airline to fly and sell aviation fuel to the airline.
“They came with a gimmick 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.”
The development was also confirmed by a sports enthusiast identified as Pooja Media, via his X handle on Monday.
He wrote, “Super Eagles players and all officials are boarding to fly out of Libya to Nigeria. Thank God.”
“OUR BOYS ARE RETURNING HOME,” he wrote.
Before this, Libyan authorities were alleged to have refused to provide the Super Eagles’ chartered flight, ValueJet, with permission and aviation fuel to fly the players back to Nigeria.
The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has, however, exonerated itself from the saga and refuted claims it intentionally delayed the team.
