NIGERIA’S national football team, the Super Eagles, have announced they will boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya after being stranded at a Libyan airport for over 12 hours without food, water, or transport. The incident occurred after their flight was unexpectedly diverted to a smaller airport, Al Abraq, two hours away from their intended destination in Benghazi.
The Super Eagles, which includes English Premier League stars such as Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester, Nottingham Forest duo Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi, and Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, were en route to Benghazi for Tuesday’s qualifier when their plane was diverted shortly before landing. Upon arriving at Al Abraq airport, the team was left in a locked terminal with no reception team, transportation, or access to food and drink.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to express the frustration felt by the squad, calling the experience ‘disgraceful’ and accusing Libyan authorities of playing ‘mind games.’ He explained that the team’s landing clearance in Benghazi was suddenly revoked without explanation, and they were forced to divert to an airport not suited for large planes. ‘The airport gates were locked, and we were left stranded without any communication, food, or drink for 12 hours,’ Troost-Ekong stated.
The situation escalated further as the players realised no arrangements had been made for their onward travel to Benghazi, where their hotel was located three hours away. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) also released a statement, condemning the treatment of the team and confirming their decision to boycott the match, citing safety concerns and the unacceptable conditions at the airport.
‘The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya remained at Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing,’ the NFF stated. ‘The chartered ValueJet aircraft was dangerously diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was preparing to land in Benghazi. Despite efforts to arrange alternative transport, the team has been left stranded.’
In his post, Troost-Ekong explained that the Nigerian government had been contacted to intervene, and the team had collectively decided not to play the match under the current conditions. He added that they were concerned for their safety, especially considering the lack of security and the prospect of travelling by road in Libya. ‘Even with security, it’s not safe,’ he remarked. ‘We won’t accept travelling by road, and we can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like if we continued.’
This ordeal comes shortly after Libyan players claimed they were mistreated during their stay in Nigeria ahead of the first leg of the AFCON qualifiers, where Nigeria won 1-0. However, these allegations were denied by the Nigerian Football Federation.
Troost-Ekong highlighted the contrast between the treatment of their Libyan counterparts in Nigeria and what the Super Eagles endured. ‘We respect ourselves and our opponents when they come to Nigeria. Mistakes happen, but these actions seem deliberate and have no place in international football,’ he said. ‘If CAF (the Confederation of African Football) decides to award Libya the points, so be it. We won’t risk our safety to play under such conditions.’
The NFF is now working to fly the team back to Nigeria after what they described as a dangerous and exhausting situation. Nigerian football authorities have called on CAF to investigate the matter and ensure that such incidents are avoided in the future.
The players’ boycott marks a significant stand in the face of poor organisation and safety concerns, as the Super Eagles prioritise their well-being over the match. The incident also raises broader questions about the treatment of teams in international competitions, particularly in Africa, where logistical issues and political instability can sometimes complicate match preparations.
The Super Eagles’ decision to boycott the match underscores the importance of fair play, respect, and safety in international football. The team is now focused on returning home and hopes that their stance will lead to improvements in how visiting teams are treated in the future.
