Nations Cup 2025: After 12 Hours Airport Ordeal, Super Eagles Withdraws from Libya Match
By Juliet Vincent
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the withdrawal of Super Eagles from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
The pull out followed a 12-hour ordeal at the Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.
The super Eagles players and coaches have been stranded upon their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, had earlier said that he and his teammates had decided to boycott the AFCON qualifier due to the shabby treatment.
Troost-Ekong on his X handle said “As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game.”
In a statement on Monday, the NFF explained that the Super Eagles were stuck in the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, located three hours away.
According to the statement: “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.
“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. Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.
“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement stressed.
