Nigeria Football Federation Withdraws Super Eagles from AFCON Qualifier Against Libya

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya on Tuesday.

This decision comes after the team endured a grueling 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where they have been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.

According to reports, the Nigerian 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.

This diversion left players and officials without any support or transportation from the Libyan Football Federation.

In a statement on Monday, the NFF described the chaotic situation, revealing that the team had been stuck at the airport for over 12 hours and was unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is approximately 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 ValueJet aircraft was dangerously diverted just as the pilot was approaching Benghazi Airport,” the NFF stated.

Frustrated and fatigued, the players decided not to participate in the match. The NFF supported this decision and is now making arrangements for the team to 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 condemned the treatment received from Libyan authorities. In a series of tweets early Monday, he described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the hosts of engaging in “mind games.”

Troost-Ekong revealed that the team was trapped in an abandoned airport without access to food, water, or phone connections.

“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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 phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games,” he tweeted.

He also shared the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot, who navigated the unexpected diversion but was denied accommodation for his crew due to government orders.

While the pilot could rest at the airport, the Nigerian crew members were not permitted to stay, forcing them to sleep on the plane.

“Even the Tunisian pilot, who managed to handle the last-minute change to an airport unsuitable for our plane, had never encountered anything like this before. Upon arrival, he sought a nearby hotel for his crew but was denied at every turn due to government instructions. They have now returned to sleep on the plane,” Troost-Ekong added.