The Nigeria Football Federation has decided to withdraw the Super Eagles from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, following a 12-hour delay at Al Abraq International Airport, Libya.
The Nigerian delegation, which landed in Libya on Sunday afternoon, was headed to Benghazi for the crucial match scheduled for Tuesday.
However, their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically used for hajj operations, leaving the team stranded.
In a statement released on Monday, the NFF detailed the situation: “The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport.”
The NFF expressed frustration over the lack of support from the Libyan Football Federation, noting that no transportation or assistance was provided, leaving the players and officials stranded without access to basic amenities.
Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, took to social media to condemn the treatment, describing the experience as “disgraceful.”
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games,” Troost-Ekong tweeted on Monday morning.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by the crew, explaining that while the Tunisian pilot was allowed to rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were denied accommodation and forced to sleep on the plane.
“Even the Tunisian pilot, who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land, had never seen anything like this before,” he added.
With players fatigued and frustrated, they have resolved not to participate in the match. The NFF has backed the team’s decision and is now arranging for their return to Nigeria.
