The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially withdrawn the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, following a harrowing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport.
The Nigerian delegation, en route to Benghazi for the crucial fixture, was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically used for hajj operations.
Upon arrival on Sunday afternoon, the team was left stranded without any assistance or transportation from the Libyan Football Federation.
In a statement released Monday, the NFF detailed the chaotic situation, stating: “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 federation confirmed that after enduring hours of uncertainty, the players resolved not to play the match, a decision fully supported by the NFF. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s immediate 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 statement concluded.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong expressed his frustration with the situation in a series of tweets, describing it as “disgraceful” and accusing Libyan authorities of “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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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,” he wrote.
Troost-Ekong also highlighted the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot, who successfully handled the unexpected diversion but was denied accommodation for his crew.
“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 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.
The NFF is now focused on the safe return of the Super Eagles, effectively pulling them out of the AFCON qualifier.
