The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, which was originally set for Tuesday.
The decision came after a distressing 12-hour delay at Libya’s Al-Abraq International Airport, where the team was redirected despite being cleared to land in Benghazi.
During the ordeal, the players faced locked gates with no access to essential resources like food, water, or communication. The NFF prioritized the team's safety and well-being in making the withdrawal decision.
A video posted by the team’s media department showed players stranded with their luggage in the airport’s waiting area, highlighting the indifference of Libyan airport officials.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted while descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.” He also shared photos of the team members stranded.
Many Nigerians on social media expressed concern for the team’s welfare, calling on relevant authorities to intervene and ensure the players’ safety.
After consultations with the team’s doctors and coaching staff, the NFF decided to withdraw from the qualifier due to concerns over the players’ health and safety. WilliamTroost-Ekong revealed that the decision was a collective one made by both the players and officials, who felt it was best not to proceed under the circumstances