The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that the Super Eagles have decided to pull out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
The Super Eagles had been stranded for 12-hour at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, since their arrival in Libya on Sunday afternoon.
The Super Eagles were en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.
In a statement on Monday, the NFF Communications Department explained that the team remained at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.
According to Channels TV, NFF said: “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.
Victor Boniface Laments
Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Victor Boniface has lamented over the ill-treatment the national football team was subjected to in Libya.
In reaction to the ill-treatment the Super Eagles have been subjected to, Victor Boniface, who is one of the star players of the national team, took to his X page earlier today to lament over how badly they have been treated since they arrived in the North-eastern country.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward tagged the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), saying, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi nowhere to sleep. African we can do better.”
The captain of the national team, William Troost-Ekong had also taken to his Instagram story to lament over the ill-treatment and announced that the Super Eagles have resolved not to honour the game.
Also, a statement from the NFF has confirmed that the football body is making arrangements to fly the national team back to Nigeria, which means that there is little or no chance of honoring Tuesday’s fixture.
Note that the Super Eagles beat Libya 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday and were expected to complete the job on Tuesday night.
Nigeria is currently topping the 2025 AFCON qualifiers Group D with 7 points in three games, while Libya are bottom of the group with one point.
“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.”
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