The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially withdrawn the Super Eagles from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match scheduled to take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
The NFF’s decision ahead of the qualifying match against Libya followed a chaotic and frustrating 12-hour ordeal suffered by the football team at the Al Abraq International Airport.
The team has been stranded at the airport since arriving on Sunday, October 13, 2024, afternoon, with no assistance or transportation provided by the Libyan Football Federation.
The Nigerian delegation was initially headed to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft, operated by ValueJet, was suddenly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.
The unexpected diversion occurred just as the pilot was completing the approach to Benghazi Airport, forcing the Super Eagles to land at a facility ill-equipped to accommodate the team.
However, in a statement on Monday, October 14, 2024, the NFF detailed the troubling situation, explaining that the players and officials had been stuck at the airport for over 12 hours without any means to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.
“The Nigerian delegation for the 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 said.
Daily Patriot reported that Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by the Libyan authorities.
Mr Troost-Ekong declared that the Nigerian national football team will boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya, citing severe mistreatment and safety concerns.
