The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. The decision comes after the team faced a frustrating 12-hour delay at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where they were left stranded without assistance.
The Nigerian delegation, en route to Benghazi for the crucial match against Libya, encountered unexpected challenges when their chartered ValueJet aircraft was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a smaller airport primarily used for hajj operations. The team had originally planned to land at Benghazi Airport, but the sudden diversion caused confusion and logistical difficulties.
Upon arrival on Sunday afternoon, the Super Eagles were left stranded at Al Abraq International Airport for over 12 hours, unable to proceed to their hotel in Benghazi, which is approximately three hours away. The NFF expressed frustration over the lack of support from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation or any reception team for the Nigerian delegation.
In an official statement released on Monday, the NFF detailed the circumstances that led to the team’s decision to withdraw from the 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 statement read. The federation expressed concern over the diversion of the chartered aircraft, which they described as “strange and dangerous.”
“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 three hours away in Benghazi,” the statement continued.
The NFF had reportedly arranged separate vehicles for the team, but these plans were disrupted by the unplanned diversion to Al Abraq. As a result of the prolonged delay, the players have decided to withdraw from the match, and NFF officials are now making arrangements to fly the team back to Nigeria.
The decision to pull out of the match is a significant setback for the Super Eagles’ AFCON qualification campaign. Scheduled to face Libya in what was expected to be a crucial encounter, Nigeria will now have to assess how this development affects their chances of making it to the 2025 AFCON tournament. The NFF has yet to confirm if they will seek any action or recourse from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the incident.
This incident raises questions about the logistical and organizational challenges teams can face when traveling for international fixtures, especially in regions where infrastructure or security concerns may complicate travel plans.
The NFF’s decision underscores the importance of player welfare and safety, as the extended period at the airport reportedly left players and officials fatigued and frustrated. The federation will now focus on ensuring the safe return of the delegation to Nigeria, with plans underway to secure a flight back home.
It remains unclear whether CAF will reschedule the match or if any penalties will be imposed as a result of the Super Eagles’ withdrawal. The NFF has not ruled out the possibility of engaging with CAF to discuss the situation, especially considering the unusual circumstances that led to the diversion of their flight and the lack of support from the host federation.
The withdrawal has undoubtedly put the spotlight on the logistical arrangements for international fixtures, with many observers noting that the situation could have been handled better by the host federation. The NFF has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the Super Eagles’ future travels are smoother, emphasizing that the safety and comfort of players remain a top priority.
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