NFF Withdraws Super Eagles from AFCON Qualifier
The Nigeria Football Federation has withdrawn the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
This decision comes after a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since arriving on Sunday afternoon.
It was reported that the Nigerian delegation was on their way to Benghazi for the important qualifier when their chartered plane was dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport usually used for hajj operations.
The sudden redirection left both players and officials stranded, with no support from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.
The NFF described the chaotic situation in a statement on Monday, explaining that the team was stranded at the airport for more than 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, located three hours away.
12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
NFF said, “The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing. The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport.”
The NFF also mentioned that the exhausted and frustrated players have decided not to participate in the match. Backing their decision, the NFF is now making arrangements for the team to return to Nigeria, officially withdrawing them from the fixture.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement concluded.
The Captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost Ekong, replied to the situation and criticised the treatment by the Libyan authorities. He dropped lots of tweets on Monday morning, calling the situation “disgraceful” and accusing the hosts of playing “mind games.”
He revealed that the team has been left stranded in an abandoned airport without access to food, water, or phone connections.
The tweet said, “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.
“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour.”
Troost-Ekong also highlighted the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot, who handled the unexpected change in destination but was denied accommodation for his crew due to government orders.
While the pilot was permitted to rest at the airport, the Nigerian crew members were not allowed to stay, leaving them with no choice but to sleep on the plane.
He continued, “Even the Tunisian pilot, who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land, had never seen anything like this before.”
“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.”
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Content Credit| Igbakuma Rita Doom
Picture Credit | https://afrosportnow.com/asaba-to-host-nff-annual-general-assembly/
