The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially pulled the Super Eagles out of Tuesday's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. This comes after a harrowing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since Sunday afternoon.
The Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi for the crucial match when their chartered aircraft was dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically used for hajj operations. The unexpected diversion left the team without any support from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide necessary transportation.
In a statement released on Monday, the NFF explained that the players and officials had been stuck at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, located 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 stated.
Frustrated and exhausted, the Super Eagles players have now decided not to honor the match. The NFF has backed their decision and is currently arranging for the team's 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 has voiced his outrage, calling the situation "disgraceful." In a series of tweets, he accused the Libyan authorities of playing "mind games," revealing that the team has been left without access to food, drink, or phone connections at the airport.
“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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.
The captain also shared details about the difficulties faced by the Tunisian pilot, who was refused accommodation for his crew under government orders, leaving the Nigerian crew members to sleep on the plane.
The NFF is now focusing on ensuring the safe return of the team to Nigeria, marking a significant setback in the Super Eagles' AFCON qualification campaign.
Credit: Punch Newspaper
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