Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has admitted that the Nigerian contingent for the ill-fated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Match Day Four tie in Libya went through a near-death experience after being held under lock and key in a 20-hour ordeal at the Al-Abraq International Airport.
Receiving the national team at the Abuja International Stadium Airport on behalf of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Enoh commended their resilience in the face of adversity even as he thanked the team for the show of maturity throughout the period.
“For about 20 hours, you have gone through what I describe as a near-death experience,” Enoh explained. “The entire country was vested in the situation .
“Despite the hardships you experienced in Libya, you stood strong and acted very maturely.
“On behalf of the President and the good people of Nigeria, I welcome you home as i express profound gratitude for the team’s efforts on and off the field of play.
“I reaffirmed the government’s commitment to keep supporting the national team as they continue their journey for the AFCON 2025 tournament.
In this moment, more than anything else, your safety was our priority, and we are glad to see you complete,” he added.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
