The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles will no longer participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, following significant delays at Al Abraq Airport in Libya.
According to a statement released by the NFF Communications Department on Monday, the Super Eagles were held at the airport for more than 12 hours without any form of assistance.
The statement detailed that upon arrival, the Nigerian team, including players, officials, and their luggage, were left stranded at the airport. A video shared by the Super Eagles media team confirmed the situation, showing Libyan airport officials displaying indifference to the team’s plight.
The Super Eagles had departed Nigeria on Sunday morning to face Libya in their fourth match of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. The match was scheduled to take place at the 10,000-seat Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, approximately 10 kilometers from Benghazi. However, reports emerged that the Nigerian team’s flight was diverted to another location.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was unexpectedly and dangerously diverted to a small airport far from Benghazi just as the pilot was preparing to land at Benghazi Airport. We understand that the Al Abraq International Airport is primarily used for hajj flights,” the NFF statement explained.
Players and officials, already exhausted from the long journey, were left confused as the Libyan Football Federation failed to provide any form of reception or transportation to the hotel, which was said to be three hours away in Benghazi. The NFF had made alternative arrangements for transportation, but the diversion of the flight disrupted these plans.
Given the circumstances, the Super Eagles players have decided not to proceed with the match. The NFF, in response, is making arrangements to fly the team back to Nigeria.
This development comes after Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory over Libya on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored a late goal to secure the win.
