Libya vs Nigeria: NFF release statement on team's "hostage" situation

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have released an official statement regarding the airport delay of the team ahead of the AFCON 20245 qualifiers, Libya vs Nigeria.

In a shocking turn of events, the Super Eagles have been delayed in the airport in Libya ahead of their AFCON 2025 qualifiers, Libya vs Nigeria scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2024, for what has been estimated to be over 12 hours, this has prompted an official statement from the football federation in Nigeria (NFF) declaring that the team would not be participating in the group D fixture highlighting that the focus right now would on how to get the players back to Nigeria.

What did the NFF's statement say about Nigeria's airport delay?

The NFF in the early hours of today, Monday, Octoer 14, 2024, released an official statement regarding the ongoing situation involving the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Libya.

The statement shared by sports journalist read, "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. The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home."

What happened to the Super Eagles in Libya?

According to Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, the team's chartered flight was nearing its destination in Benghazi when it was unexpectedly rerouted to a different city, located over two hours away from their intended base.

The squad, along with their officials, had departed Nigeria for Libya on Sunday morning and have been delayed at the airport for over 13 hours without a place to rest or even internet access.

Meanwhile, Libyan players expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment they received from Nigerian authorities upon their arrival in West Africa last week. This followed their 1-0 loss in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday three, where Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored the winning goal just four minutes before the final whistle.

Read the Latest Sports News and get fresh updates on X and Facebook