Eniola Jolaoso
Following an unpleasant arrival experience in Libya, the Nigeria Football Federation has taken drastic action by withdrawing the Super Eagles from their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations Qualifier against the said Country, after the team endured a frustrating 12- hours delay at the AI Abraq International airport on Sunday.
It was gathered that the Nigerian delegation’s chartered flight to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier was suddenly rerouted mid-air to Al Abraq Airport, a smaller facility primarily used for hajj operations, leaving players and officials stranded without Libyan Football Federation assistance on transportation.
In a statement issued Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recounted the chaotic experience, stating that the team was stuck at the airport for more than 12 hours, preventing them from reaching their hotel in Benghazi, which is approximately three hours away.
“The Nigerian team’s arrival for the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya has been severely delayed, with the delegation still stranded at Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after touchdown. Shockingly, our chartered ValueJet aircraft was diverted to this small airport during its final approach to Benghazi.”
NFF also revealed that the drained and frustrated players have collectively agreed to withdraw from the fixture, with the federation backing their decision and making travel arrangements for their return to Nigeria.
Reacting to this, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong slammed the Libyan authorities’ treatment, labeling it “disgraceful” in a series of early morning tweets on Monday, and accused them of employing “mind games.”
According to him, the team was stranded in a deserted airport, with no provision for food, water and phone connectivity.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games”
Troost-Ekong also highlighted the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot, who skillfully navigated the unexpected route change, only to be denied accommodation for his crew due to government directives.
Although the pilot was permitted to rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were denied accommodation, leaving them no choice but to spend the night on the aircraft.
I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour, Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land, i had never seen something like this before” he said .
“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction. He could sleep there, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked up,” Troost-Ekong added.