The Super Eagles were on Sunday left stranded at Albraq Airport for 12 hours, where the team is to play the second leg of the AFCON 2025 Qualifier game.
Following Libya’s 1-0 loss to Nigeria in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, October 11, both teams were expected to face off again in Benina, their fourth Group D match.
The Super Eagles left Nigeria for the North African country on Sunday, October 13.
However, according to the Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, the team’s chartered aircraft was approaching its destination in Benghazi before it was diverted to Al Abraq, a city which is more than two hours drive from Benghazi.
The Libyan authorities failed to provide transportation for the Super Eagles to get to their destination.
The airport gate was also said to be locked against the Nigerian players.
But in a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Monday morning, it was made known that the players had become fatigued by their long and indefinite stay at the airport.
The statement said: “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.
The NFF said the Super Eagles, have decided to boycott their scheduled match with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
