The Nigeria Football Federation has decided to withdraw the Super Eagles from the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
We regret to inform you that our team has encountered a challenging situation at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya. Since their arrival on Sunday afternoon, they have been stranded there for an extended period of twelve hours.
The Nigerian delegation’s chartered aircraft was dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations, en route to Benghazi for a crucial qualifier.
The unforeseen diversions in plans resulted in players and officials being left without any means of transportation due to the Libyan Football Federation’s failure to provide the necessary logistical support.
In a statement on Monday, the NFF detailed the chaotic situation, explaining that the team remained at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.
The Nigerian delegation for the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya on Tuesday is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing. The chartered ValueJet aircraft was unexpectedly and dangerously diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport, as stated by the NFF.
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 currently 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.