The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, following a harrowing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport. The team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon, after their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted mid-journey.
According to reports, the Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi when their aircraft was redirected to Al Abraq, a small airport usually designated for hajj operations. Upon landing, the team found themselves without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to arrange transportation to their hotel, located three hours away.
In a statement released on Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation detailed the chaos surrounding the diversion, stating that players and officials remained at the airport for over 12 hours. “The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport,” the NFF explained.
Faced with exhaustion and frustration, the players have collectively decided against participating in the match. The NFF has expressed support for this decision and is making arrangements for the team to return to Nigeria, thereby officially withdrawing from the fixture.
Captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to condemn the treatment of the team by Libyan authorities, describing the situation as “disgraceful” and accusing the hosts of engaging in “mind games.” He revealed that the team was stranded in an abandoned section of the airport without access to food, drink, or communication. “Twelve hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason,” he tweeted.
Troost-Ekong also highlighted the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected diversion but was denied accommodation for his crew due to government orders. While the pilot was allowed to rest at the airport, the Nigerian crew members were not, forcing them to sleep on the aircraft.
“This kind of treatment is unacceptable, and I’ve never experienced anything like it before,” Troost-Ekong stated, emphasizing the unusual circumstances surrounding their travel.
Written By; Christopher Emuakpeje