The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday, following a chaotic experience at Al Abraq International Airport.
The team was stranded for over 12 hours at the airport after their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted from Benghazi on Sunday afternoon. According to reports, the diversion occurred dangerously close to landing at Benghazi Airport, forcing the aircraft to land at the smaller, hajj-focused airport instead.
Upon arrival, the Nigerian delegation received no assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation to their hotel in Benghazi, located three hours away.
In a statement released Monday, the NFF described the situation as “chaotic,” noting the team had been left without food, water, or accommodation. “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 statement read.
Frustrated and fatigued, the players decided not to participate in the match, a decision the NFF supported. The federation is currently arranging for the team’s return to Nigeria.
“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.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by Libyan authorities. In a series of tweets, he described the ordeal as “disgraceful” and accused the hosts 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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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,” he wrote.
Troost-Ekong highlighted the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected change in destination but was denied accommodation for his crew under government orders. While the pilot was permitted to rest, Nigerian crew members were not allowed to stay, forcing them to sleep on the plane.
“Even the Tunisian pilot, who thankfully navigated the last-minute change, had never seen anything like this before,” Troost-Ekong stated. “He tried to find a nearby hotel for his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction.”
