AFCON: Stranded Super Eagles to return home after 13-hours at Libyan airport

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has shunned the match against Libya as it issued a strong statement regarding the Super Eagles’ ordeal at Al Abraq Airport.

This came after the national team has been stranded for over 12 hours ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.

The team, scheduled to arrive in Benghazi, was diverted to a much smaller and lesser-known airport, typically reserved for Hajj operations, subsequently delaying the team all night without provisions.

NFF’s Statement on Stranded Super Eagles’ at Libyan Airport

“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 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.

Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”