Monday, October 14, 2024 - 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.
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