NFF said arrangements are being made to fly the team back to Nigeria after players decided to withdraw from the AFCON qualifier
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the Super Eagles have pulled out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
This follows a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
Prior to this, TheNiche had reported that Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, said he and his teammates decided to boycott the AFCON qualifier after the saga.
“As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game.” he tweeted.
Confirming the decision via a statement on Monday, the NFF explained that the Super Eagles were stuck in the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, located three hours away.
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It further added that the players have decided to withdraw from playing the match and arrangements were being made to fly the team back to Nigeria.
The statement reads: “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.”
