After suffering a dehumanising 12-hour at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has withdrawn the national male football team, Super Eagles, from the scheduled 2025 African Cup of Nations tie with the Benani of Libya.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian team’s ValueJet flight to scheduled to land in Benghazi, but was inexplicably routed to the Al Albraq Airport, which Naija Daily News gathered is used by the country for only Hajj operations.
After landing in the desert airport, the team from Nigeria was left stranded by their Libyan hosts who failed to provide a connecting flight or any other means of transportation out of the isolated airport.
Consequently, pictures emerged of Eagles’ star huddled in crampy airport chairs and benches, leading to their protest and threat to back out of Tuesday’s second leg encounter.
The NFF has now announced the players’ withdrawal from playing the match.
It revealed that arrangements were being made to fly the team back to Nigeria.
The statement reads: “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and dangerously, 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. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
Libya Football Body: Logistics Challenges Responsible
Meanwhile, the Libyan Football Association has blamed ‘routine logistics challenges’ for the Eagles’ travails in their country.
In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the body said, “We are deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya.”
“While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel.
“These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon. We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
