BREAKING: NFF withdraws Super Eagles from AFCON Qualifier after 13-hour stranding in Libya

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, following a 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport.

The team, stranded since Sunday afternoon, faced unexpected disruptions when their flight was diverted to the small airport, typically used for hajj operations, instead of their intended destination, Benghazi.

According to the NFF, no assistance was provided by the Libyan Football Federation, leaving players and officials stuck at the airport without transportation to their hotel, three hours away in Benghazi.

The situation prompted the NFF to take the drastic decision to pull the team out of the crucial qualifier, citing safety and logistical concerns.

“The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing. 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 NFF stated.

The NFF further noted that the fatigued and frustrated players have now resolved not to play the match.

The NFF, supporting the players’ decision, is now arranging for the team to fly back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.

“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.

Reacting to the situation, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by the Libyan authorities.

In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Troost-Ekong described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the hosts of playing “mind games.”

He revealed that the team is being kept in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drink, or phone connections.

“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 The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason.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.

“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” he wrote.

Troost-Ekong also mentioned the difficulties faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected change in destination but was subsequently refused accommodation for his crew under government orders.

While the pilot could rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were not allowed to stay, forcing them to sleep on the plane.

“Even the Tunisian pilot, who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land, had never seen anything like this before,” he wrote.

“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction. He could sleep there, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked up,” Troost-Ekong added.