In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles will not be playing their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya on Tuesday. The decision follows an exasperating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport, where the Nigerian team has been stranded since Sunday afternoon.
The Super Eagles were en route to Benghazi for the crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier when their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq, a small airport mainly used for hajj operations. The diversion, described as dangerous and baffling, came just as the pilot was about to land in Benghazi. This abrupt change left the team stranded without any support from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to arrange onward transportation to Benghazi, located three hours away.
In a statement released on Monday, the NFF explained the chaotic situation, noting that the delegation had been stuck at the airport for over 12 hours, with no access to food, water, or proper accommodation. “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 statement read.
Frustrated and exhausted, the Super Eagles players have now resolved to withdraw from the match. Backing this decision, the NFF is making arrangements to fly the team back to Nigeria. “Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the federation confirmed.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to express his anger and disappointment at the situation, calling out the Libyan authorities for their “disgraceful” treatment. In a series of tweets early Monday, Troost-Ekong accused the Libyan hosts of playing “mind games” and leaving the team in harsh conditions. “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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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,” he tweeted.
Troost-Ekong went on to highlight the difficulties faced by their Tunisian pilot, who skillfully managed the unexpected diversion but was later refused accommodation for his crew, in accordance with government orders. While the pilot was allowed to rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were 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,” Troost-Ekong shared.
The chaotic situation not only disrupted the team’s travel plans but also cast a shadow over the AFCON qualifier, with Nigeria now officially out of the fixture. The NFF and Super Eagles’ supporters are left deeply frustrated, with many calling for accountability over the treatment of the Nigerian team during this ordeal.
