The Super Eagles of Nigeria have threatened to boycott their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya after being stranded at Al Abraq Airport for more than 12 hours.
The Nigerian national football team landed in Libya on Sunday, ahead of their matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights, but were left stranded without any assistance from the Libyan authorities.
In a statement released by the Nigerian Football Federation on Monday, it was revealed that the Eagles were held at the airport, with no reception from the Libyan Football Federation or transport to take the players and officials to their hotel in Benghazi.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to a small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations,” the NFF statement read.
Fatigued and frustrated, the players have resolved not to play the AFCON qualifier against Libya, which was scheduled to take place at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi. Reports say the team was diverted to a different city, and there were no vehicles provided by the Libyan Football Federation to transport the team from the airport to their hotel.
The NFF is now making arrangements to fly the team back to Nigeria, as the situation remains unresolved.
Nigeria had secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya in the first leg of the qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, thanks to a late goal by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
However, with the current situation in Libya, the Eagles are considering pulling out of the return leg.
