Nigeria’s Super Eagles have threatened to boycott the second leg of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, citing alleged mistreatment by Libyan government officials. The team has reportedly been stranded at Al Abaq Airport for over 12 hours since their arrival.
In a statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, the situation was described as dire: “Super Eagles still at Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya! 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 NFF reported that the team’s chartered flight, operated by ValueJet, was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abaq Airport, a facility primarily used for hajj operations, instead of the intended Benghazi Airport.
“We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations,” the NFF stated, expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the diversion.
Compounding the issue, the Libyan Football Federation failed to provide any reception team or vehicles to transport the delegation to their hotel, which is said to be three hours away in Benghazi.
“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,” the NFF lamented. While the NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, they noted, “the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.”
The situation has led players to express their intent not to participate in the match, with NFF officials now making arrangements to fly the team back to Nigeria. “Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles were scheduled to face Libya on Tuesday in the return leg of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg in Uyo, thanks to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s late goal.
According to the Super Eagles’ media officer, Promise Efoghe, the team departed Uyo for Benghazi on a chartered flight on Sunday, only to be held at Al Abaq Airport by Libyan authorities for over 12 hours.
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Efoghe explained, “About an hour to landing, the Nigerian aircraft approaching its destination, Benghazi was diverted to another city more than two hour drive from the original destination.”
The NFF has denied the allegations, insisting that “the logistical confusion surrounding the Mediterranean Knights’ arrival in Nigeria was caused by the Libyan Football Federation (LFF).”
Currently, the Super Eagles lead Group D, one point ahead of Benin Republic’s Cheetahs, who won 3-0 against Rwanda in another match. A victory against Libya in Benina on Tuesday would virtually secure Nigeria’s place in the 35th AFCON finals in Morocco.
