₦airaland Forum

TheGoodJoe:

I repeat. The NFF needs to furnish us further with the steps they took. I am talking of Sports ministries of States due to time but now the story has even changed from 1hr to 3hrs.

So what did the NFF protocol team do to prevent such embarrassment. We are looking bad due to this.

What did steps did they take to mitigate the crisis.

So you should have waited more for the nff then but you’ve gone ahead to say they are lying without getting all the info you say you want.

But if you keep insisting that nff or states sports ministries or state govt should have paid for their charter services and aviation fees then you have no point there cos that’s not their responsibility.

TheGoodJoe:
Actually, from that interview, the NFF secured Uyo landing clearance after the information of their departure. He made a statement like they should have informed him of the challenges earlier.

However, after the clearance, they could not pay for the connecting flight. This is where the NFF needs to explain further why we could not assist with the flight or bus charter. Why did Libya have to pay that and ended up with a faulty bus.

Only the FG could have bailed the Libyans out in that situation just like they did for the Eagles in Libya. And if think nff can just command FG like that then na you sabi. No state govt can intervene in an aviation issue that’s the purview of the FG. No state govt can just be sending buses to go bail foreigners in another state or within their state without clearance from even the govt of that country through their embassy in Nigeria. There are security implications to that and I have worked in an organisation where to go pick up some foreigners when their vehicles broke down we had to clear from their embassy in Nigeria. I insist blaming the nff for this is an overkill

Hotepking:
At this point the only North African team I respect is Morocco, they don't play dirty like the typical North African team and do the talking on the pitch with their team which is arguably the best in Africa right now.. Egypt to some extent are decent but they play very dirty when they want to. But you see teams like Tunisia and Libya? God forbid we ever cross path with such teams in crucial tournaments.

They are all the same don’t be deceived. The Egyptians will play our local clubs deep in the night cos they know our local players won’t cope well with cold weather.

TheGoodJoe:
That is why I said we need clarification.

The NFF man said they offered Buses.

We need to know if the buses were going to be covered by us. If the bus charges were not going to be covered by us, then it might have been too expensive for them.

It does not make sense for the Libyans to reject cozy buses to go and higher low grade buses that had poor air conditioning.

You’re behaving as if you don’t know North African teams someone earlier just told you how the Tunisians too came with even their pillows as if we don’t have pillows in Nigeria. Those folks have the antecedents of treating us with disdain whether home or away. Blaming the nff for the way foreign countries take us for granted is deeply unfair.

TheGoodJoe:
3hrs is not snap of the finger. It was an emergency. The team was stranded. NFF should tell us the contingency measures they took to help convey them safely to Uyo.

Nff got them permit for their plane to land in uyo if Libya couldn’t afford it then it’s their responsibility, an ex sierraleone player who knows the antics of the Libyans also mention the issue and antecedence of corruption on the side of the Libyans for their inability to fund that air lift to uyo. Nigeria can’t be blamed totally for that. If Nigeria could afford to pay x5 for fuel in Libya, our guests in Nigeria should also have contingency plans for their own players in such situations

TheGoodJoe:

I repeat, contingency plans. Contingency plans.

The Libyans were stranded in Port Harcourt and the NFF knew 3hrs before.

The emergency was in rivers State.

Are you saying the NFF Protocol team should fold their arms and scream it is not our fault?

The mistake had happened and they had a role to play to mitigate the situation.

Informing the Rivers State Sports Commissioner is one thing they could have done. At least to assist in receiving them at the airport.

A small delegation could have been put together to help receive them. This one does not need money.

This is one of the complaint from the Libyans. No one received them.

Another complaint was they could not make another flight charter.

NFF should have reached out for help.

They would have gotten it. It was an emergency and they abandoned the Libyans.

The Libyans are mischievous they landed in the wrong place, they only cried out when their plans failed. If they are sincere they should have immediately contacted CAF and they would have been the biggest winners in this case. Every African team will be wary of them now. I appreciate the nff for being proactive in Libya.

TheGoodJoe:
But the NFF wanted the Libyans to charter in the same window.

It could be done if the NFF Protocol team acted swiftly to save the situation.

That is why I am pointing out reaching to the Ministry than allowing the team to look for bus and hire to come.

See, the NFF really messed up from the information we have from them so far. They need to clarify things. For now it looks bad on them.

At least send buses from Uyo to convey them. Get people to receive them at the airport.

Is it not the same Port Harcourt that we had emergency and the whole working cabinet in less than an hour mobilized themselves to the site? Not one occasion.

Let alone a whole National team stranded in Port Harcourt.

At least reach out to Rivers Ministry of Sports to help secure sound buses for them.

This was an emergency.

NFF should tell us the contingency actions they took than telling us that Libyans should have told them their clearance problems earlier.

As I said, thank God nothing happened to them. If not this English would not fly.

You’re talking as if every state in Nigeria must be involved whenever the eagles play. It doesn’t work like that. It’s purely an FG affair sir. Rivers state has no business with the game as that was not the game venue. You’re trying to pin blame on the nff as if the rivers state govt can just do their bidding at one snap of the finger. Akwaibom is also limited as the Libyans didn’t land in their territory initially. It’s complicated but you don’t want to agree. Fine

daveP:
It would be bad if Nff are culpable after investigation finish. For now we accept the Libyans are chasing biggest clout and their acts deserve a ban from football. 17hours??

CAF is not a serious organisation as they are also culpable. Why approve a match in a venue that is controlled by another govt faction different from the capital of the country. To hell with CAF jor

TheGoodJoe:
With my few insights here, we should also prepare for a hammer from CAF too.

I don't think the NFF is being completely truthful.

Am even surprised CAF didn’t award Libya 3 points sef, which hammer remain than fines or will CAF ban us from Afcon? If they even say we too should start playing our matches on neutral ground that will even be in our favour cos we equally struggle to win at home. Nothing dey

TheGoodJoe:
They should say that first. Than only making it look like the Libyans refused to pay.

Then what alternative measures did they take. Did they inform the Sports ministry of the hosting State?

Did they also inform the rivers State government that there was a crisis they were dealing with?

At least reception at the airport could easily be organized.

In 3 hours? This is govt and not private sector o

The Libyans have themselves to blame they failed in their planning and risk mitigation. Next time they will learn to do better. I think most African countries are also taking advantage of this our big brother atitude to just barge in on us and make it look we are that hostile when in reality we don’t even have such antecedent. Libya is also an oil rich nation na dem disgrace themselves pass. Make them hold additional money next time, we sef need our money for other things. After all we bought fuel in their country x5 no one is even talking about that what if we sef no hold additional money, na night bus we for use return? Oga Joe thank God for that one first.

TheGoodJoe:
When there is national interest? A match to be seen by millions around the world. Come on. We are not that cheap. I thought we have been shouting hospitality everywhere?

If Akwa Ibom State government could secure such accomodations in a resort for the Libyans, Haba to pay extra for flight ticket to ensure a smooth hosting would have happened.

So what did the NFF Protocol team do financially to rescue the situation.

They need to clarify that.

I think you don’t appreciate the urgency of the situation you just think money will just be spent like that because our politicians throw money around, common.

TheGoodJoe:
NFF is not insurance.

I am not saying the NFF Protocol team must solve it but what were the steps taking.

Also, what plans did they make to receive them. Calling FAAN for clearance was not enough. Why couldn't we help with charter when we knew the Libyans were going to be stranded.

But money is involved and nff could not fit the bill so what’s their sin here

daveP:
Me still dey leave room for that pov i had earlier. But we need solid clarity from NFF. Abi is it only what Sir Olajire tok we go take as their stance? Or maybe nff is bidding their time, awaiting CAF decision. But for all that matters, nff better not play any second fiddle and accept nonsense arrangements or compromise. That won't bode well.

Everybody should submit their evidence to CAF make them verify. Let’s know who is lying

TheGoodJoe:
From the information, it was 3hrs and the Libyans said they couldn't pay for an extra charter. NFF at that point I believe should have worked on an alternative flight than putting the lives of the Libyan players at risk.

If NFF didn't have the money, reach out to the Akwa Ibom State government, through their Sports commissioner and also Rivers. It would have been done. I believe so.

Even state governments don’t work that way to just spend money on non citizens. Never when tax payers money is involved.

TheGoodJoe:
NFF can't be blamed for their itinerary coming into the country. However, once they got details they were touching down in Port Harcourt. 3hrs ahead, they should have swung into action to help get them to Uyo.

My belief is,

Both parties did not want to spend. NFF and LFF.

Even the buses NFF said they offered, I believe the NFF wanted the Libyans to foot the cost, which to me is wrong.

The NFF should have found a way to get them a flight to Uyo from Port Harcourt. I believe the Akwa Ibom State government would have gladly done that but I doubt the NFF Protocol team have the capacity to think and act in such manner.

And you want to blame nff for this? haba even insurance companies with all what they collect from their customers have rules for compensation and additional costs.

TheGoodJoe:
If a national team is arriving on short notice for such an important game and the NFF can't reach out to them fast, are you saying they should not make an alternative arrangement? If they are, don't you know reaching out to the Sporting Ministry in the State can be of great help?

Even in Europe things don’t work like this but we always expect magic in Nigeria as if we are not humans, where I expected you to land you landed elsewhere and you want me to just get you anything even within an hour, chai.

TheGoodJoe:
This even exposes lapses on the NFF. These guys requested for buses. He said it himself and they ended up hiring buses. Is this not our of order?

Don’t stress yourself, the Libyans only suffer the consequences of their hide and seek games with the nff. Next time they should furnish their hosts properly with their itinerary details no matter if they know all the states in Nigeria. Oversabi was their undoing and nff can’t be blamed for that.

TheGoodJoe:
I still totally condemn the reckless action of the Libyan government. If they had any issue they should have addressed it with diplomatic measures rather than resorting to endangerment of our national assets.

That is where the Libyans are silly and not civilised, if they were truly aggrieved all they needed to do was to file complaints to CAF, even go ahead after the match in a press conference and use it as an excuse for their loss. We see coaches do this very well in post match interviews but looks like perhaps they don’t have very valid points to prove anything but resort to gangsterisim to moan their loss in Uyo and they must be punished for that if CAF is a serious organisation. Don’t FiFA punish coaches or players who harass refs even after the match to complain about how they feel?

TheGoodJoe:

I don't buy that narrative from the NFF. Hide travel plans as in how? They know Nigeria more than us?

So what about receiving them? So they could not communicate with the Rivers State Ministry of Sports to help on such Super short notice?

The story is not complete and needs clarification.

This is where CAF needs to come in and state unequivocally that visiting teams must furnish their hosts details of their itinerary for any match. Even if there are changes they must inform their host immediately. This hide and seek games has been on for decades in the African game. These culture of fear of village people if we reveal our arrival time has got to stop in this age. This has been the practice of teams in the continent and CAF must put their feet on the ground with rules and sanctions to any erring side. Logistics requirements must be spelt out in CAF statues for any game in their purview. Just like Afcon and other competitions qualifiers must be seen as such by CAF with their officials on ground at all match venues days to matches. If more funding is required for these, it’s worth it for the development of the game. This is how we can forestall all the hearsays and different versions of stories in the future.

TheSuperNerd:
Ghana's loss today is the sweetest news of the hour. Hateful Bredas who would rather back Terrorist Libya than focus on their own underpar NT.

Sudan to Ghana today:

Mercy bruv, kilode eleyi poju

someone say na Libya vs Libya dey play tonight

opes:
Sudan will even defeat Angola at home. They are presently topping the world cup qualifier table in a group that include Senegal. Kwesi Appiah is just like our Late Keshi. Very sound but underrated..

if you see as they collect ball from kudus leg, I no fit laugh

minfelix:
Them leave training wey dem suppose train they follow blast Nigeria…Now Sudan don dey hammer them 2-0 in the land of same mumu libya

only sour losers and bad competitors wish their neighbours evil

TheSuperNerd:
Watch the video below from CBS sports. The two guests who spoke on the issue did a beautiful job and the catch?? They are not even Nigerians. They spoke from a place of pure unbias. One is even an ex international who experienced the Libyan treatment in Kenya while with Sierra leone NT.

Just watch:

After seeing Nigeria forfeit their AFCON Qualifier against Libya, is it time for FIFA to step in? 🌍@BizoBeez and @MikeLahoud provide insight as to what is going on inside of CAF 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/CCZex66cG2

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 15, 2024

So when I see Kenyans or Ghanaians or the Zulu boys yapping, I just laugh. Bunch of haters and hypocrites.

Intelligent analysis so no surprises if Kenya is hailing their colleagues in Libya.

As for our Ghanaian friends they need to watch it they are gradually becoming something else and in no short time the bubble will burst 💥 and no be say dem get liver like that o.

TheGoodJoe:
Nice but this is beyond just CAF. From the statement of the pilot, the order to divert the plane came from the highest authority of the country. It is purely a diplomatic issue the the FG and foreign affairs ministry should be in full swing on this. Anyway to get external pressure to let them not repeat this again.

Thank you, Sir, it's what it is.

minfelix:
this country wey b say every single person dont mind tearing down with criticism both on international space.
Nigeria has a terrible govt we all agree but im sure most countries citizen who also suffer terrible govt will never come out and stand against their country or publicly wash their country.
Anyways on the flip positive side, thats more reason we always win e-wars against these countries, cos no amount of insult given to us by them will shake us..we ourselves wash our dirty linen in public…so its a case of them trying to rub themselves in the mud with an already dirty pig

when I said these things during Afcon some folks here were arguing with me, Congo DR has been in war forever, you will never hear them tear down their own country, the Libyans had a delay for 3 hours in Nigeria but ended up holding our players for 15 hours even refused to sell them fuel to return at a point yet our countrymen kept justifying the rubbish because we don't like our govt. I once took a flight from the US to Canada just an hour flight o, the flight got delayed for almost two hours, I told my wife if na naija now we go say na shithole. We need to chill as Nigerians, most of the things we complain about happen everywhere and still no responsible citizen will go out there and say unprintable things about their country. Ask anyone in Canada their domestic air flight system is a mess yet do you hear anyone saying rubbish online? Our journalists too are often the worst culprit in these matters all in the name of human rights. We are not wise as a people, we keep getting profiled everywhere we go in the world yet there are countries whose citizens are even far worse in behaviour but NO na we dem dey treat as the worst humans on earth. Honestly am pissed

Amedino99:
many apps are showing that the match is postponed but lets wait for caf to publish the list of matches today on their X handles

if you're waiting on CAF you're on a long thing, just forget their side.

Amedino99:
this is what someone here was saying: does not warrant the foreign mission intervention

We Nigerians are the ones selling ourselves cheaply to these nations. I am a bit surprised that even the Nigerian govt is not accusing Libya of terrorism. You lie on your bed the same way you lay it.

Mujtahida:
In any case, if they felt they were unjustly treated why not report to CAF?

What they did was extreme to unacceptable degree. 18 hours deliberate delay as a revenge for a supposed 3 hours delay.
If they had won the match would they have treated our team this way?

Losing the match in Uyo was their greatest pain I wonder what pedigree Libya has in football. Losing to a powerhouse in football is never a disgrace. We are just dealing with sour losers. They harassing the referee after the match for time reasons they caused was a red flag we never took seriously. That was the biggest clue we missed. I hope NFF will start taking the behaviour of opposing teams on the pitch when next they come visiting. Observation is key to problem-solving

Danielnino00:
The plan is that their players will show up on the pitch at the designated kick off time.. so it will appear that Nigeria didn't show up .that would give CAF ground to award them 3 points according to the rule of the game...

It's now up to CAF to review the events and judge appropriately..

There’s nothing CAF will do that surprise me

Danielnino00:
In my Liverpool WhatsApp group, we have been discussing the matter since yesterday...
The Ghanaians in the group are hell bent on proving that Libya did the right thing... It's the same thing with the South Africans on Facebook and Twitter..

For real, a lot of African countries don't like us one bit... The hate is deep

Anyone saying they did the right thing by holding humans beings and not goats hostage for over 15 hours, bruv distance yourself from such terrorists for your own good o

minfelix:
if we had known it would be so bad like this, best thing is to train in Nigeria and give them a shocking arrival on match day early morning or a night before the match day.. seems such move has been done before by NFF and the Nigerian contingent, i can’t remember which game it was…i dont known if im making sense sha😜🤪

Exactly, the reason i said our teams in the past had endured such similar situations. I remember such scenarios well in the past.

e for sweet if these guys held us hostage on a match day 😜 would have love to know the excuse they will give. Just shows our off needs to be dealing with opposing national teams case by case basis going forward. Not all African teams value fair play