By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday.
Libya is currently embroiled in a long standing war with two factions holding on to Tripoli and Benghazi.
This decision follows a harrowing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since Sunday afternoon.
The Nigerian delegation, en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier, experienced a dangerous mid-flight diversion to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for Hajj operations.
The sudden change left the team stranded without transportation or assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, further complicating their situation.
In a statement released on Monday, the NFF described the chaotic scenario.
“The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s AFCON qualifier against Libya has been stuck at Al Abraq Airport for over 12 hours. The chartered ValueJet aircraft was dangerously diverted from Benghazi just as it was about to land,” the statement read.
The NFF explained that despite efforts to resolve the situation, the players and officials were left exhausted and frustrated. With no progress made, the team decided not to proceed with the match, prompting the NFF to arrange for their return 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 NFF confirmed.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by Libyan authorities in a series of tweets on Monday morning. He described the ordeal as “disgraceful,” accusing the hosts of employing “mind games” to unsettle the Nigerian team.
“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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 criticized the Libyan government for rescinding their approved landing in Benghazi and locking the airport gates.
Troost-Ekong also revealed that the team’s Tunisian pilot had difficulty navigating the unexpected change but was denied hotel accommodation for himself and his crew. While the pilot was allowed to rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were forced to sleep on the plane.
“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” Troost-Ekong concluded.
