Nigeria’s players were stranded at a Libyan airport for over 12 hours, describing the experience as akin to a hostage situation.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to face Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday night, but they expressed their frustration over the circumstances they endured.
Nigeria arrived Al Albraq airport, located approximately two hours from their planned destination of Benghazi.
Reports indicate that Libyan authorities failed to arrange any transportation, and it was even claimed that the airport gate was locked.
Consequently, the Nigerian Football Federation issued a statement announcing their decision to boycott the match.
The statement said: “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.
