SportsNews
President of Libyan Football Federation, Al-Shalmani resigns after Super Eagles airport ordeal
President of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, has resigned from his position following the Super Eagles of Nigeria airport ordeal.
Al-Shalmani stepped down from his position during a regular meeting of the Federation’s General Assembly.
According to The Libya Observer, an English and Arabic online newspaper based in Tripoli, Libya, Al-Shalmani announced his resignation in a statement.
He was quoted as saying, “I do not want to be part of the failure in Libyan sports.
“We faced difficulties during the previous period.
“I thank all members of the General Assembly, and I forgive everyone from all segments of the sports sector.
“I have a history in the International, Arab, and African Federation, and no one can deny that.”
The resignation comes after the Super Eagles of Nigeria accused Libyan of subjecting the team to ‘inhumane treatment’ upon arrival in the country.
for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier.
The Nigerian squad departed on October 13 via a chartered ValueJet aircraft, only to have their flight diverted just an hour before landing.
They landed at Al Abraq Airport, located over two hours away from their intended venue. They were left unattended and stranded for several hours before the Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong raised an alarm.
The situation prompted a statement from the Libyan Football Federation, stating that the diversion of flight was not intentional, but was due to a consequence of standard air traffic control protocols.
They also narrated the major challenges that their own national team faced upon arriving in Nigeria for the first leg of the AFCON qualifiers, without making public accusations or questioning the integrity of the Nigerian authorities.
Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?
The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.
“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER
President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences
to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.
The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.
President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.
“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.
I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.
President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
Arsenal’s starting XI to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening has been unveiled.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Gabriel Jesus ahead of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the Gunners’ attack against the Red Devils.
This comes after Jesus scored a brace against Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
The Brazilian will be assisted by Bukayo Saka and Leandro on the wings.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard return to join Martin Zubimendi.
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