The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially withdrawn the Super Eagles from their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, following a harrowing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.
The decision comes after the team found themselves stranded at the airport since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
FirstNews reports that the Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi for the critical qualifier when their chartered aircraft was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations. This dangerous diversion occurred just as the pilot was completing the approach to Benghazi Airport, leaving players and officials stranded without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation.
In a statement released on Monday, the NFF detailed the chaotic circumstances surrounding the team’s situation, explaining that they remained at Al Abraq Airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is approximately three hours away.
“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 stated.
The players, exhausted and frustrated, have collectively decided against playing the match, a resolution supported by the NFF. The federation is now arranging for the team to return to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement concluded.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by Libyan authorities, describing the situation as “disgraceful.” In a series of tweets early Monday morning, he accused the hosts of engaging in “mind games.”
“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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.
He further highlighted the difficulties faced by the Tunisian pilot, who successfully managed the unexpected change in destination but was subsequently denied accommodation for his crew under government orders.
“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,” Troost-Ekong wrote.
“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction. He could sleep there, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked up,” he added.
As the Super Eagles prepare to return home, the incident raises significant concerns about the treatment of visiting teams in international competitions and the need for better logistical planning and communication between federations.