The Super Eagles of Nigeria have withdrawn from their match against Libya, which was scheduled for Tuesday, October 15.
This was the 4th match of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers campaign for the three-time winners, scheduled to be held at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya. Nigeria initially played the Libyans at home, where they secured a 1-0 victory.
However, upon arriving in Libya on Sunday, the Super Eagles claimed they were stranded at an airport for 12 hours “without food or drink”.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to complain about the lack of transportation, food, and drinks provided by Libyan authorities after their flight was diverted to a smaller airport.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games,” Troost-Ekong wrote on X.
“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behavior. 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 something like this before,” he continued.
“Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up,” he added.
This incident comes after Libyan players alleged that they were mistreated in Nigeria ahead of the Super Eagles’ victory over the weekend. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has denied these claims and has subsequently announced that they will boycott Tuesday’s match.
“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,” the NFF said in a statement.
“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.”
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Story by: Gabriel Tecco Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
