Super Eagles abandon AFCON qualifier against Libya after airport ordeal

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles will not participate in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.

The decision follows a troubling experience at Al Abraq Airport, where the Nigerian team was left stranded for over 12 hours.

Upon arriving in Libya, the Super Eagles and their officials were not attended to, with no reception from the Libyan Football Federation or transport arranged to their accommodation.

The team was scheduled to land at Benghazi but was redirected to a smaller airport used mainly for Hajj operations, leading to further delays.

After enduring exhaustion and the disorganized reception, the players resolved not to play the scheduled match, and NFF officials are making arrangements for the team’s return to Nigeria.

“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,” the statement by the footbal body read in part.

This decision comes on the heels of Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya just days earlier in Uyo, where Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s late goal secured a win.