The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially withdrawn the Super Eagles from their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, originally scheduled for Tuesday, citing serious concerns over the players’ safety and well-being.
The team’s journey took a troubling turn when their chartered flight, en route to Benghazi, was suddenly diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, a small facility typically used for religious travel. Upon landing, the team faced a 12-hour ordeal, stranded without access to food, water, or communication. Airport gates were locked, and local authorities provided no support, leaving players and officials frustrated and helpless.
In a video shared by the team, Super Eagles players were seen sitting with their luggage in the airport’s waiting area. Captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media, revealing the distressing situation: “Over 12 hours stuck in an abandoned airport after our plane was diverted. The Libyan government rescinded our landing in Benghazi with no explanation. They’ve left us without any basic necessities, all to play mind games.”
The NFF, after consulting with the team’s medical staff and coaches, made the decision to pull out of the crucial AFCON qualifier, prioritizing the physical and psychological health of the players. Troost-Ekong confirmed that the decision was a unified stance by both players and officials, who felt they could not continue under such conditions.
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, John Enoh, condemned the treatment of the Super Eagles and vowed to escalate the issue to higher authorities, ensuring that Libya’s actions are formally addressed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). “Our primary concern is the safety of our players. The traumatic events they endured in the last hours make it impossible for them to proceed with the match. This must be documented and handled properly,” Enoh stated.
The NFF has arranged for the immediate return of the Super Eagles to Nigeria, effectively ending their trip to Libya and marking a dramatic conclusion to what was supposed to be a crucial AFCON qualifying match.
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