Update: Super Eagles on way back to Nigeria after Libyan fiaso
The Super Eagles are on their way back to he country after thei maltreatment by their opponents, Libya, on Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The Super Eagles and team officials waited for over 12 hours at Al Abraq International Airport, after their plane was diverted about three hours away from Benghazi, the venue of the Tuesday match against Libya.
This was after the plane carrying the team and officials were diverted mid-air to Al Abraq said to be a small airport primarily used for hajj operations.
After the plane landed, however, the Nigerian team was left stranded without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation for over 12 hours.
The host team failed make arrangement to take the team to Benghazi while the vehicle arranged for the trip by the officials of Super Eagles was also not allowed to access the airport.
A statement by the NFF, on Monday, said the Super Eagles were stuck in the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, located three hours away.
The statement reads, “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.”
Captain William Troost-Ekong has issued a strong warning that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will not take the field against Libya after being stranded for over 12 hours at an abandoned airport in the country.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Troost-Ekong expressed outrage over the team’s treatment, making it clear that they will refuse to play under the current conditions.
The Super Eagles were en route to Benghazi for Match Day 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier when the Libyan government unexpectedly revoked their landing clearance. Without prior notice, the plane was diverted to an alternative airport, which lacked the necessary facilities to accommodate the team, leaving them stranded without food, water, or phone connections.
Troost-Ekong accused the Libyan authorities of deliberately trying to disrupt the Super Eagles ahead of the match, describing the situation as a psychological ploy. He emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable in international football.
The team’s Tunisian pilot, who had to make a last-minute diversion, reportedly said he had never experienced anything like this before. Troost-Ekong further explained, “Upon arrival, the pilot tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew, but they were denied accommodation under government instruction. He was allowed to stay, but no Nigerian crew members were permitted. They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked at the airport.”
In his posts, Troost-Ekong called for immediate intervention from the Nigerian government to ensure the team’s safety, and demanded that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) investigate the situation.
However, it is worth noting that there are reports that the Libyans had earlier voiced its own complaints regarding the logistics of the first leg of the qualifier, which took place in Nigeria.
According to the reports, the Libyan team expected to land in Lagos as per the Nigerian Football Federation’s (NFF) earlier communication but were only cleared to arrive in Port Harcourt.
The General Secretary of the Libyan team claimed that they were only notified of their landing in Port Harcourt three hours before arrival. While the NFF managed to secure clearance for their arrival after a brief delay, the Libyan team was provided with a bus and security to transport them to Uyo. However, they declined to use the bus, opting to travel in their own buses, while still using the security escort provided.
About The Author
