The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has detailed the harrowing 20-hour ordeal faced by the Super Eagles in Libya.
Players and officials were stranded for hours at a Libyan airport without access to food or the internet as they prepared for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights. Diplomatic efforts and social media pressure eventually led to the team’s release from Libya.
NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, narrated the incident after the team arrived in Nigeria. In a lengthy statement, Olajire highlighted the following key points:
1. The Super Eagles departed from Uyo on a chartered flight, stopping in Kano for immigration and refueling before heading to Benghazi, Libya.
2. Despite proper documentation, the flight was diverted to the Al-Abraq International Airport, which lacked necessary landing equipment.
3. Upon arrival, the Nigerian delegation faced poor treatment from airport officials, and no Libyan Football Federation (LFF) representative was present to receive them.
4. The team’s luggage took over an hour to arrive, and no transportation was available to take them to Benghazi, where their accommodation was arranged.
5. Repeated attempts to contact LFF officials failed, and after several delays and false promises, the Nigerian delegation was stuck at the airport for hours.
6. No food, water, or internet connection was provided, leading to growing frustration and distress among the players and officials.
7. At midnight, word emerged that the team was deliberately being delayed due to alleged mistreatment of the Libyan team in Nigeria—a claim the NFF strongly denied, outlining the care they provided to the Libyan contingent during their visit.
8. With mounting concerns over their safety and health, the Super Eagles considered withdrawing from the match due to trauma, fatigue, and illness caused by the ordeal.
9. After several calls to Nigerian authorities and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the NFF officially requested CAF to sanction the Libyan hosts for their actions.
10. Eventually, the Nigerian community in Eastern Libya provided some food, but the team decided to return home, awaiting CAF’s decision regarding the unplayed match.
The Super Eagles finally departed from the Al-Abraq airport after hours of further delays, arriving safely back in Nigeria.