[By Abigail Philip David]
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has pulled the Super Eagles out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya following a 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.
The Nigerian delegation, en route to Benghazi for the critical qualifier, was left stranded after their chartered flight was unexpectedly and dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically used for hajj operations. The diversion left players and officials without any assistance, as the Libyan Football Federation failed to provide transportation.
In a statement on Monday, the NFF described the chaotic situation, revealing that the team had been stuck at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to proceed to their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.
“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 explained.
The frustrated Super Eagles players have since resolved not to play the match, a decision backed by the NFF, which is now arranging for the team to 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 anger at the situation, calling the treatment by Libyan authorities “disgraceful.” In a series of tweets, he accused the hosts of playing “mind games” and detailed the team’s experience of being stranded in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drinks, 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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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,” Troost-Ekong tweeted.
He also noted that the Tunisian pilot, who had successfully managed the unexpected diversion, was denied hotel accommodation for his crew under orders from the Libyan government. While the pilot could rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were forced to sleep on the plane.
Troost-Ekong described the incident as one of the worst he has experienced in his career, saying, “I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behavior.”
The NFF is now focusing on ensuring the team’s safe return home.
