By Seyi Babalola
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, citing a grueling 12-hour trip at Al Abraq International Airport.
On their way to Benghazi for the important match, the Nigerian group met unanticipated complications when their leased aircraft was redirected mid-flight to Al Abraq, a minor airfield mostly utilized for hajj operations.
Upon arrival, the squad was left stranded without support from the Libyan Football Federation, who had failed to arrange transportation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the NFF said that the Super Eagles had been held in the airport for nearly 12 hours, unable to reach their accommodation in Benghazi, which is three hours away.
The federation voiced severe unhappiness with the team’s mismanagement and emphasized a lack of assistance from their Libyan counterparts.
The NFF also announced that the players had opted to withdraw from the match and that plans were being made to fly the squad back to Nigeria.
The statement reads, “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.
“We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations. Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.
“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
