The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles will no longer participate in the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya due to an extended delay at Al Abraq Airport.
A video shared by the Super Eagles’ media team confirmed the incident, showing players and officials stranded at the airport, along with their luggage, while Libyan airport authorities appeared indifferent to their situation.
The Super Eagles had departed Nigeria on Sunday morning, ahead of their matchday 4 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights.
The match was scheduled to take place at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, near Benghazi, but reports indicated the team was diverted to a different city.
“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,” the statement read in part.
It further stated that the players have decided not to participate in the match any longer, while NFF officials are arranging for the team’s return to Nigeria.
On Friday, Nigeria earned a narrow 1-0 win against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, thanks to a late goal by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
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