The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team, were stranded in Libya for over 14 hours before finally being cleared to depart. The team had traveled to Libya ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match but faced unforeseen delays upon arrival.
According to reports, the Super Eagles arrived at Al Abraq Airport, a small facility in Libya primarily used for hajj operations, instead of the larger Benghazi Airport, where they were originally supposed to land.
The team’s chartered flight had been diverted, causing confusion and leaving the players and officials stuck without any reception from the Libyan Football Federation.
The delay lasted over 13 hours, during which time no assistance was provided to transport the team to their hotel in Benghazi, which was three hours away by road.
During their time at the airport, players and officials reportedly experienced significant fatigue and discomfort.
Super Eagles player Bruno Onyemaechi shared his frustration with the situation, posting on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Me and Libya, I don wash my hands commot. Nothing concerns me and una again. Thank God I’m going back.”
A sports photojournalist, known as Pooja Media, also confirmed the team’s departure, stating: “Super Eagles players and all officials are boarding to fly out of Libya to Nigeria. Thank God.”
The team had flown to Libya on Sunday, October 13, in preparation for their AFCON qualifying match against Libya’s national team, the Mediterranean Knights. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, at 8 p.m. local time.
The delay caused concern among fans and officials, as the extended stay at the airport could potentially affect the players’ performance in the upcoming match.
