BREAKING: Super Eagles boycott AFCON qualifier, after 12-hour wait at Libyan airport
The Nigeria Super Eagles have decided to boycott their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, following what they described as maltreatment by Libyan authorities.
The team, scheduled to play the return leg of the 2025 AFCON qualifier on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, was stranded for over 12 hours at Al Abraq Airport, a remote facility used mainly for Hajj operations.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) issued a statement on Monday, October 14, 2024, expressing frustration over the ordeal.
According to the NFF, the team’s chartered ValueJet aircraft was unexpectedly diverted from Benghazi International Airport to the smaller Al Abraq Airport just as the pilot was preparing to land in Benghazi.
The diversion, which left the team fatigued and stranded, was further compounded by the absence of any reception or transportation arrangements from the Libyan Football Federation.
The players and officials, unsure of how to proceed, remained at the airport, with no vehicles to transport them to their hotel, reportedly three hours away in Benghazi.
Despite the NFF’s efforts to secure alternative transportation, the plan fell apart due to the unexpected diversion. In light of the situation, the Super Eagles have resolved not to participate in the match, and the NFF is currently working on plans to fly the team back to Nigeria.