The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially withdrawn the Super Eagles from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday, following a harrowing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya. The team has been stranded since Sunday afternoon in what has been described as a frustrating and dangerous situation.
The Nigerian delegation was initially en route to Benghazi for the crucial AFCON qualifier when their chartered aircraft, operated by ValueJet, was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a smaller airport typically used for Hajj operations. This diversion, just as the pilot was preparing to land at Benghazi, left the team stranded without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to arrange transportation for the team.
In a statement issued on Monday, the NFF explained the chaotic circumstances: “The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing. The chartered aircraft was strangely and dangerously diverted to the small airport, just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport.”
The NFF added that the players, exhausted and frustrated by the ordeal, have decided not to play the match. Supporting this decision, the NFF 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, took to social media to express his outrage over the treatment they received from the Libyan authorities. In a series of tweets, Troost-Ekong described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the Libyan hosts of using “mind games” to disrupt their preparations.
“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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 tweeted.
Troost-Ekong also revealed that even the Tunisian pilot, who managed the diversion, was denied accommodation for his crew by government orders. While the pilot could rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were forced to sleep on the plane.
The incident marks a significant blow to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, with the NFF expressing deep frustration over the treatment of its national team.
