NFF withdraws from AFCON qualifier match against Libya
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
This decision comes after the team experienced a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport, where they have been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
According to reports, the delegation was en route to Benghazi for the crucial match when their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq, a small airport typically used for hajj operations.
The diversion left players and officials without any support from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.
In a statement released on Monday, the NFF described the chaotic situation, revealing that the team had been stranded at Al Abraq Airport for over 12 hours and was 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 inexplicably and dangerously diverted to this small airport just as the pilot was approaching Benghazi Airport,” the NFF stated.
“Players have decided not to participate in the match any longer, and NFF officials are making arrangements to fly the team back home,” the statement concluded.
Reacting to the situation, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by Libyan authorities. In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Troost-Ekong described the ordeal as “disgraceful,” accusing the hosts of engaging in “mind games.”
He revealed that the team was being kept in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drink, or phone connections. “Over 12 hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted during descent. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without any phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games,” he tweeted.
Troost-Ekong also highlighted the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected diversion but was later denied accommodation for his crew due to government orders. While the pilot was allowed to rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were not, forcing them to sleep on the plane.
“Even the Tunisian pilot, who fortunately navigated the last-minute change to an airport not equipped for our plane, had never experienced anything like this before,” he wrote. “Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel for his crew but was denied at every location due to government instructions. He could stay, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have now returned to sleep on the plane.”
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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