Former Super Eagles international and coordinator Patrick Pascal said the Nigerian delegation in Libya for the second leg of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) experienced hell when they were left stranded unattended for 20 hours.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) was forced to withdraw the senior team from the AFCON qualifying match following the dehumanizing treatment to which players and officials were exposed after the chartered plane taking the contingent to Libya was diverted by Benghazi force.
Reports say that the team was literally taken hostage by the Libyan authorities and the Football Federation, who denied them food and access to internet services for 20 hours.
The poor treatment meted out to the three-time African champions, who unanimously agreed to boycott the match even before the federal government decided they should return home, has sparked global condemnation with many calling on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to sanction Libya for endangering lives. of the Nigerian delegation.
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the senior national team coordinator who is also the president of the Bauchi State Football Association said “We all went through hell in Libya. We were between life and death. First, by diverting our plane when we were about to land, they wanted to end our lives because anything could have happened.
“After we landed safely through the grace of God and the expertise of the pilot, we were taken hostage inside the substandard airport and denied access to food, water and essentials of life. For almost a day we were in hell on earth.
“Some say it was a case of tit for tat, but it is far from it. We did not treat them badly when they came to Nigeria. Instead, they created artificial problems just to prepare the ground for their evil act,” Pascal said.
He also said that to preserve his life he will not travel with the team to Libya again even if CAF orders the match to be played as previously scheduled.
“Based on what I saw with my eyes, nothing will make me set foot on Libyan soil as I am coordinating the Super Eagles. I don’t even think anyone would agree to return after narrowly escaping in the hands of those people.” Pascal said.
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