Super Eagles boycott match after being stranded for over 12 hours at Libyan airport

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Super Eagles had a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya where the team has been stranded since arrival on Sunday afternoon.

The team was en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport naturally reserved for hajj operations.

The unexpected diversion left players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation.

The Libyan Federation also failed to provide transportation and accommodation.

In images shared by the Super Eagles captain, Troost-Ekong, players were seen sleeping uncomfortably at the airport after being abandoned by the Libyan government.

Meanwhile, the match is scheduled to be held by 8 pm on Tuesday, October 15.

Reacting to the mistreatment, Super Eagles, Troost-Ekong, said the team would no longer play their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya after being subjected to hostile treatment upon arrival in the country.

Troost-Ekong, via his X (formally Twitter) account expressed how the airport gates had been locked, leaving players and officials with no food, drink, or phone connection for over 12 hours, stating that he has never experienced such a treatment like this before.

He wrote, “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.

“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.

“Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.

“At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow it.

“This kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued.

“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with int. football.”