The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles will not participate in Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
This decision follows a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
The Nigerian delegation, which was en route to Benghazi for the crucial match, encountered unexpected challenges when their chartered flight was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq Airport, a small facility primarily used for hajj operations.
The diversion occurred just as the aircraft was preparing to land at Benghazi Airport, forcing the team to an unfamiliar location.
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Upon arrival, the Super Eagles were left stranded at the airport without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which had not arranged transportation to Benghazi, located three hours away.
Despite efforts by the NFF to secure alternative travel plans for the team, the situation remained unresolved, leaving the players exhausted and frustrated.
In a statement released on Monday, the NFF expressed their frustration with the situation, explaining that the team had been stuck in the airport for over 12 hours and had yet to reach their hotel.
The NFF described the conditions as “dangerous” and emphasized that the Libyan Football Federation failed to provide basic logistical support.
“The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remains at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya,” the NFF statement read.
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“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.”
The statement further explained the impact of the diversion, noting that the players had resolved not to play the match due to the ordeal. “Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
The NFF is now working on arranging the Super Eagles’ return to Nigeria as their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign faces uncertainty. This incident is likely to draw significant attention from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which may investigate the circumstances surrounding the debacle in Libya.