The Super Eagles were stranded in Libya ahead of their AFCON 2025 qualifier due to logistical issues, leading to a boycott of the match after over 12 hours of being held at Al Abraq Airport.
Nigeria’s government condemned the Libyan authorities for their treatment of the team, while the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied any foul play, attributing the situation to routine air traffic protocols. Diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve the matter.
Super Eagles Stranded in Libya Ahead of Crucial AFCON Qualifier
Nigeria’s senior men’s football team, the Super Eagles, are currently stranded in Libya, where they were scheduled to play the second leg of their AFCON 2025 Qualifier. This follows their 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, last Friday. The match, scheduled to take place in Benina, Libya, marks the fourth Group D fixture of the competition.
The Super Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday, but just an hour before landing in Benghazi, their flight was diverted to Al Abraq, a city over two hours away by road. Upon arrival, Libyan authorities did not provide transportation for the team, forcing Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) to arrange alternative travel, which was thwarted when the airport gate was locked, preventing the team’s bus from entering. Videos later emerged showing Nigerian players and officials attempting to resolve the issue at the airport.
According to an insider, the delay was a deliberate tactic aimed at frustrating the Super Eagles and affecting their preparations for the game. “They want to make it difficult for them to prepare for the match,” the source claimed.
Currently, Libya is bottom of Group D with one point, while Nigeria leads the group with seven points, followed by Benin Republic with six points, and Rwanda with two.
Super Eagles Boycott AFCON Qualifier After Libyan Hostage Ordeal
The Super Eagles have officially decided to boycott their upcoming AFCON 2025 Qualifier return match against Libya. The decision follows the maltreatment they suffered at the Al Abraq Airport, where Libyan officials refused to clear the team and provide transportation to their hotel in Benghazi, about three hours away.
Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Director of Communication, confirmed that despite attempts to secure alternative transport, the players, exhausted from over 12 hours of being held at the airport, have opted not to participate in the match. “The players have resolved not to play, and plans are underway to fly the team back to Nigeria,” Olajire stated.
The team had originally flown from Uyo on Sunday in preparation for the match scheduled for Tuesday. Their 1-0 win in the first leg, secured by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s late goal, had kept Nigeria at the top of Group D. However, the chaos at the Libyan airport has thrown their qualification hopes into disarray.
FG Condemns Disrespect, Mistreatment of Super Eagles by Libyan Authorities
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has condemned the Libyan government for its poor treatment of the Super Eagles. Enoh expressed his dismay in a statement, criticizing Libya’s failure to follow international sports protocols.
“Holding our national team hostage violates international sporting norms and principles of respect,” said Enoh. The minister assured the public that the Nigerian government was working through diplomatic channels, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to ensure the safe return of the Super Eagles.
“The safety and welfare of our players are the top priority, and we are engaging with Libyan authorities to resolve this quickly,” Enoh added, emphasizing that the government would not tolerate any form of disrespect or mistreatment toward Nigerian athletes.
Libya Responds to Super Eagles Ordeal: ‘No Foul Play Involved’
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has denied allegations of deliberately frustrating the Super Eagles’ preparations for the AFCON qualifier. In a statement, the LFF expressed regret over the diversion of Nigeria’s flight but claimed the incident was due to routine air traffic protocols and security checks, not foul play.
“We deeply respect our Nigerian counterparts and want to assure them that this was not intentional. Such incidents are common due to logistical challenges in international travel,” the statement read. The LFF also referenced their own difficulties when arriving in Nigeria for the first leg, saying that they did not blame Nigerian authorities for the challenges they faced.
Despite their reassurances, the Nigerian government remains unsatisfied with Libya’s handling of the situation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar tweeted that the Libyan authorities had not yet authorized the Nigerian diplomatic mission to assist the stranded team.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to play Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday. However, with the players opting to boycott the match due to their mistreatment, the fixture remains in doubt. A victory for Nigeria would have all but secured their place in the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.
