The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles will no longer participate in their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya following a 12-hour delay at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya. The team was left stranded and unattended after landing, according to a statement from the NFF Communications Department on Monday.
A video shared by the Super Eagles’ media team confirmed the development, showing players and officials stranded with their luggage at the airport while Libyan airport officials appeared indifferent to their situation.
The Super Eagles had departed Nigeria on Sunday morning for their AFCON qualifying matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. The match was set to take place at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium, just 10 kilometers from Benghazi. However, reports emerged that the team’s chartered flight was diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, far from their intended destination.
The NFF expressed concerns about the diversion, calling it both “strange” and “dangerous.” “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. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations,” the NFF stated.
Compounding the situation, the Libyan Football Federation did not send a reception team or arrange transportation for the Super Eagles, leaving the fatigued players and officials stranded. Despite the NFF’s efforts to arrange vehicles to transport the team to their hotel, the diversion of the aircraft disrupted these plans. The hotel is located three hours away in Benghazi.
As a result, the players have decided not to participate in the match, and the NFF is reportedly making arrangements to fly the team back to Nigeria.
This situation follows Nigeria’s recent 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo on Friday, where Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored a late winner at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
