The Super Eagles’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya has been canceled by the Nigeria Football Federation.
The team has been stuck in Al Abraq International Airport in Libya since their arrival on Sunday afternoon, and this comes after a frustrating 12-hour experience.
The Nigerian delegation’s leased aircraft was riskily redirected in mid-flight to Al Abraq, a minor airstrip usually used for hajj activities, when they were traveling to Benghazi for the important qualifier.
Due to the Libyan Football Federation’s failure to arrange transportation, the sudden detour left officials and players stranded without any help.
The NFF described the tumultuous situation in a statement on Monday, stating that the squad was unable to get to their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away, and was stuck at the airport for more than 12 hours.
Twelve hours after landing, the Nigerian team for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier versus Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport. The pilot was finishing his approach to Benghazi Airport when the rented ValueJet plane was oddly and dangerously diverted to the little airport, according to the NFF.
The players have decided not to play the game because they are tired and frustrated, the NFF added.
In support of the players’ choice, the NFF is presently making arrangements for the team to return to Nigeria, thereby removing them from the match.
The statement concluded, “NFF officials are planning to fly the team back home after players decided they would no longer play the match.”
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong responded to the incident by denouncing the Libyan government’s actions.
Troost-Ekong called the scenario “disgraceful” and accused the hosts of engaging in “mind games” in a series of tweets sent out early Monday morning.
He disclosed that the group is being housed in a deserted airport with no phone connections, food, or drink.
After our plane was diverted while descending, we spent more than twelve hours in an abandoned Libyan airport. Without explanation, the Libyan government cancelled our authorized landing in Benghazi. The airport gates have been locked, and we are now without food, drink, or a phone connection. To play mind games, everyone.
“This is shameful behavior, but I’ve had problems before while playing away in Africa,” he added.
Troost-Ekong also discussed the challenges experienced by the Tunisian pilot, who handled the last-minute destination change but was later denied lodging for his crew by the authorities.
Nigerian staff members were forced to sleep on the plane since they were not permitted to remain at the airport, while the pilot was permitted to rest there.
He added, “Even the pilot from Tunisia, who fortunately was able to make the last-minute switch to an airport that was unsuitable for our plane to land, had never witnessed anything like this before.”
Once more following orders from the government, he attempted to locate a nearby hotel to rest with his group upon arrival but was turned away at each one. No Nigerian crew members were permitted there, but he was free to sleep. Now that the jet is parked, they have gone back to sleep on it,” Troost-Ekong continued.
See photos below:
ALSO READ:
The Former Goalie For The Nigerian National Team Has Passed Away.
