Nigeria’s Super Eagles Boycott AFCON Qualifying Match After Libya Airport Nightmare

The Nigeria Super Eagles have pulled out of their upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.

This follows a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.

It was reported that the Nigerian football team was en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.

The unexpected diversion left players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.

In a statement on Monday, the NFF detailed the chaotic situation, explaining that the team remained at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is 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, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport,” the NFF stated.

The NFF further noted that the fatigued and frustrated players have now resolved not to play the match.

The NFF, supporting the players’ decision, is now arranging for the team to fly back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.

“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.

Reacting to the situation, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by the Libyan authorities.

In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Troost-Ekong described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the Libyan authorities of playing “mind games.”

He revealed that the team is being kept in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drink, or phone connections.

“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.

“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” he wrote.

Troost-Ekong also mentioned the difficulties faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected change in destination but was subsequently refused accommodation for his crew under government orders.

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

“Even the Tunisian pilot, who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land, had never seen anything like this before,” he wrote.

“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction. He could sleep there, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked up,” Troost-Ekong added.

The captain stated that the team had decided not to proceed with the scheduled match, citing safety concerns.

“We will NOT play this game,” he declared, urging the Nigerian government to intervene and rescue the stranded team.

He questioned the safety of travelling by road in Libya and expressed doubts about the quality of accommodation and food they would be provided if they continued with the fixture.

He stated, “We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen, but these deliberate actions have nothing to do with international football.”

Similarly, a former Super Eagles player, Leon Balogun has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take stringent action against Libyan authorities for their poor treatment of Super Eagles players and officials on their arrival in the country.

“Hey @CAF_Online – surely you’re going to investigate thoroughly and take action, right? Whoever is responsible for this needs to be held accountable. This is unacceptable,” he wrote.

Also, Nigerian forward Victor Boniface has spoken out about the Super Eagles’ ordeal after being stranded for 12 hours at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.

Expressing his frustration on X on Monday, Boniface wrote, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. Africa, we can do better.”

The Super Eagles had initially travelled to Libya for the second leg of their AFCON qualifying tie against the Mediterranean Knights, having secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Uyo on Friday.

The Confederation of African Football is yet to respond to the unfolding situation