The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made the decision to withdraw the Super Eagles from their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
This decision comes after the team endured a grueling 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport.
The Super Eagles were stranded since Sunday afternoon when their flight was unexpectedly diverted to the small airport, which is primarily used for hajj operations, rather than their intended destination in Benghazi.
The NFF reported that the Libyan Football Federation provided no assistance, leaving players and officials without transportation to their hotel, which is located three hours away in Benghazi.
Given the lack of support and the logistical challenges presented by the situation, the NFF cited safety concerns as a key factor in their drastic decision to withdraw the team from the crucial qualifier.
“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 NFF further noted that the fatigued and frustrated players have now resolved not to play the match.
The NFF, supporting the players’ decision, is now arranging for the team to fly back 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.
Reacting to the situation, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by the Libyan authorities.
In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Troost-Ekong described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the hosts of playing “mind games.”
He revealed that the team is being kept in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drink, or phone connections.
“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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.
“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” he wrote.
Troost-Ekong also mentioned the difficulties faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected change in destination but was subsequently refused accommodation for his crew under government orders.
While the pilot could rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were not allowed to stay, forcing them 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 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,” Troost-Ekong added.
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