Former Super Eagles star Osaze Odemwingie has publicly criticized Libya’s actions towards the Nigerian national football team, calling them extreme and dangerous.
The Super Eagles recently faced a troubling situation upon their arrival in Libya.
They were supposed to land at Benghazi Benina airport.
However, their flight was diverted to Al Abraq International airport, located 300 kilometers away.
Upon landing, the Nigerian team was not allowed to leave the airport.
They were stranded for over thirteen hours without food and internet access.
The Libyan Football Association responded to the incident by claiming they had faced similar treatment during their visit to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for the first leg of the match.
In an interview with Brila, Odemwingie expressed his disappointment with Libya’s reaction.
He emphasized that if Libya felt wronged, they should have filed an official complaint rather than endangering players’ lives.
“It’s a shame to see things like this happen,” he stated.
“It’s scary because diverting a plane to another airport is a whole different level.”
Odemwingie expressed confusion over who was behind such a drastic decision, saying it clearly went too far.
“If they had complaints about how they were treated, they could have filed an official complaint,” he said.
He believes Nigeria would have been willing to address any issues.
“You don’t jump into extremes without any explanation; that was extreme,” he added.
Odemwingie noted that the entire situation could negatively impact the players involved.
“The main people in football are always footballers, and I’m sure this whole situation became toxic,” he said.
He feared that some players might not want to represent their country again after such an incident.
“It’s very disappointing because if football people were in charge, such things would never happen,” he lamented.
Odemwingie believes that non-football people, lacking passion for the game, caused the situation to escalate.
The incident was serious enough to compel Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong to announce the team’s decision to withdraw from the match against Libya.
The fallout from the event has raised concerns about player safety and the future of Nigerian football.
As a former professional player, Odemwingie’s comments carry weight in the football community.
His shift from football to golf this year shows his continued engagement with sports, and his love for the game remains evident.
While Odemwingie is focused on his new career, his passion for football and concern for the Super Eagles remains strong.
The Super Eagles and the Libyan team were expected to compete in a crucial match that could influence their standings in the African Football Confederation (CAF).
Such incidents cast a shadow on the spirit of sportsmanship that football promotes.
Football is meant to unite nations, and incidents like this challenge that unity.
Players and officials from both teams are now left to grapple with the consequences of this situation.
Odemwingie’s call for dialogue and proper communication underscores the need for sportsmanship.
Sports leaders must ensure that such situations do not happen again.
Both teams have a responsibility to promote a positive image of football.
The authorities involved must work together to foster goodwill between the countries.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is expected to respond to these claims and the situation as a whole.
As the Super Eagles prepare for future matches, the focus must remain on playing the game with integrity and respect.
Football fans across Nigeria are watching closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the players’ safety and well-being.
