NFF pulls Super Eagles from AFCON qualifier after Libya Airport treatment

The Nigeria Football Federation has pulled the Super Eagles of Nigeria squad out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

This decision comes after a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon, October 13.

It was gathered that the Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.

The diversion left Nigerian players and officials stranded with the Libyan Football Federation not offering any assistance to help their situation.

In a statement on Monday, the NFF detailed the frustrating situation, explaining that: “The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing. The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport,” the NFF stated.

The NFF also confirmed that the fatigued and frustrated players have agreed not to play the match.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement concluded.

The NFF is currently arranging for the team to fly back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.