The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed that the Super Eagles may pull out of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, citing “inhumane” treatment at the Al Abraq Airport after their arrival on Sunday.
The team was left stranded for over 12 hours following an unexpected diversion to the remote Al Abraq International Airport, an airport primarily used for religious pilgrimages, far from their destination in Benghazi.
According to the NFF, the Super Eagles’ chartered flight was rerouted at the last minute as it approached Benghazi. Upon landing, the team and officials were shocked to discover no welcoming party from the Libyan Football Federation, nor were there any vehicles available to transport them to their hotel, which was reportedly three hours away.
NFF officials had planned alternative transportation and hotel accommodations for the squad. However, those arrangements fell apart due to the diversion, leaving the team stuck at the small, ill-equipped airport. To add insult to injury, local hotels allegedly refused to accommodate the Nigerian contingent, reportedly under instructions not to admit any Nigerians.
“After enduring hours of frustration and fatigue, the players have decided they will no longer play the match,” the NFF stated in a press release on Monday. “We are now making urgent arrangements to fly the team back home.”
The NFF described the situation as both bewildering and humiliating, with one hotel even offering a room to the aircraft captain, who was a North African, while denying accommodation to the Nigerian delegation.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong expressed his anger on social media, accusing Libyan authorities of engaging in “mind games.”
“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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,” he posted on X.
The NFF is currently negotiating a resolution but remains uncertain about the team’s participation in the crucial AFCON qualifier, given the deteriorating situation.
This development marks a significant setback in what is already a tense campaign for the Super Eagles, who are battling for qualification in a highly competitive group. Fans and football stakeholders across Nigeria are anxiously awaiting further updates on the team’s next move.
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