The Super Eagles of Nigeria were left stranded in Libya under tense and frustrating circumstances, sparking outrage and escalating tensions between both countries’ football associations.
What was supposed to be a routine trip for the ongoing AFCON 2025 Qualifier quickly turned into an ordeal, with players and officials stuck at an airport for more than 16 hours, battling fatigue, hunger, and confusion.
This unexpected twist began after Nigeria’s 1-0 victory against Libya in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in a crucial AFCON qualifier. The return leg was scheduled for Benghazi, Libya, and the Nigerian team was prepared to land at Benina International Airport.
However, the chartered flight carrying the Super Eagles was suddenly redirected to Al Abraq International Airport, a smaller facility used primarily for hajj operations.
To the shock of the Nigerian delegation, no officials from the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) were present to greet them or provide transportation to Benghazi.
Instead, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had to make emergency plans for a bus trip to Benghazi, which was several hours away. Unfortunately, local airport officials denied access to the bus, leaving the team stranded overnight.
Videos shared from the Super Eagles’ camp showed players looking tired and disappointed, their frustration evident as they waited for a resolution. Nigerian officials were seen negotiating with airport staff in an attempt to find a solution.
As the hours passed, emotions flared, with Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface tweeting about the dire conditions, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. Africa, we can do better @caf.”
The NFF, concerned about the players’ welfare and growing unrest, issued a statement explaining the situation and announcing that the team was considering not participating in the match.
“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.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
However, the Libyan Football Federation denied any intentional wrongdoing, claiming that such flight diversions are common due to air traffic protocols and logistical issues.
They maintained that the treatment of the Nigerian team was not deliberate and expressed regret over the situation.
In a statement, the LFF said, “While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel.
“These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon. We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.”
Despite the LFF’s denial, evidence suggested otherwise. A tweet from the @LibyaToday24 account revealed that the Libyan authorities deliberately diverted the Nigerian team’s flight as an act of ‘reciprocity.’
According to the tweet, the Libyan team had experienced similar difficulties during their visit to Nigeria.
“In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the appointed government has redirected the Nigerian national team’s flight to land at Al Abraq Airport in Al Bayda, instead of Benina Airport. They will then travel by bus to Benghazi,” read the tweet, which was posted on Sunday night.
The trouble between the two teams can be traced back to the Libyan team’s arrival in Nigeria. Despite the NFF’s preparations to receive them in Uyo, the Libyan squad unexpectedly landed at Port Harcourt International Airport.
This unannounced change led to a road trip to Uyo, rather than the NFF’s planned arrangements for smoother transportation. The Libyan side, led by captain Faisal Al-Badri, accused Nigeria of treating them poorly and hinted that their diverted flight in Libya was a form of payback.
Responding to the situation, NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, clarified that the NFF had arranged for the Libyan team’s arrival in Uyo, but the Libyan contingent had kept their travel plans secret.
“We assumed correctly that the team would be landing in Uyo because the Benin Republic team that came last month landed in Uyo. It was an hour after they had been airborne that we were told they were landing in Port Harcourt,” Olajire explained.
The NFF went further to secure permission for the Libyan team to fly from Port Harcourt to Uyo, but the team opted to make the journey by road instead, reportedly due to additional costs involved in chartering a flight.
