Nigeria Vs Libya: Revenge Mission Stalls Qualifying AFCON Match

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya after a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport. 

The Nigeria national team, the Super Eagles, were on Sunday held hostage at the Abraq airport, upon their arrival in Libya ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Libyan Mediterranean Knights after prior agreements and approvals. Their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted from Benghazi to Abraq Airport, necessitating delays, and sparking outrage on social media. 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had organized transportation in Benghazi, but the sudden diversion left the team without buses at Abraq Airport. Local authorities have claimed they received orders from higher-ups to delay the Nigerian team, locking the airport gates, while representatives from the Libyan FA were absent, leaving the players stranded. 

A Lick  Of Revenge?

On Friday, Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory over the Mediterranean Knights in the first leg of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo. Prior to the match, the Libyan team had accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of providing inadequate transportation during their arrival in the country. Team captain Faisal Al-Badri voiced his frustration, calling for intervention from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In response, the NFF denied the allegations, stating that the Libyan Football Federation had informed them of the team’s arrival in Port Harcourt rather than Uyo only three hours before landing.

After their win in Uyo, the Super Eagles are set to face the Mediterranean Knights again at the Benina Stadium for the return leg. The Nigerian team departed for Libya on Sunday, October 13, but just an hour before landing in Benghazi, their flight was diverted to a city over two hours from their intended destination.

Reactions 

This poor treatment meted out to Nigerians in Libya was met with outrage from the players and Nigerians on Social media. Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong tweeted on Monday: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan  government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.,” He added, “They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.”

Nigeria’s Football governing body, the NFF, has withdrawn the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s qualifier against Libya after the frustrating ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport. This comes after the players’ collective decision to forgo the match.

Nigeria currently leads the group with seven points, while Libya sits at the bottom with just one point from three matches.