By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are now making plans to return to Abuja from Al Abaq airport, 12 hours after Libyan authorities abandoned and refused to grant them entry, and transition to Benghazi where match day four Africa Cup of Nations qualifier is scheduled to take place.
This is as the Nigerian team resolved to boycott the AFCON qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.
Heritage Times HT reports that the entire Nigerian delegation had arrived Libya around 8pm on Sunday and were kept at the Al Abaq airport till 8am, as at the time of filling this report on Monday.
NFF Confirmation
A statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sent to Heritage Times HT in confirmation to the latest development on Monday morning reads, “Super Eagles still at Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya!
“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.”
Thwarted Efforts
Despite diverting the Nigerian team to another airport and abandoning them, the Nigerian delegation made effort to book hotel rooms for the players and officials, yet the hotel management in Al Abaq denied them accommodation.
According to NFF statement, “The NFF was ready to book hotel rooms for players and officials close to the said airport, but we were told by all hotels approached that they have been instructed not to welcome Nigerians.
“Our aircraft crew went searching for hotel rooms, but were told the same thing.
“The captain was offered hotel room because he’s a North African but he turned it down and opted to return with the rest of the crew to the airport and sleep in the aircraft.”
