The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has begun the process for the repatriation of the Super Eagles from Libya to Nigeria.
The NFF announced this in a statement on Monday after the players unanimously decided to pull out of the second leg match of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2024 but the players have withdrawn after citing considerable hardship and inconvenience endured during their stay in Libya.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,” the NFF said.
“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 was ready to book hotel rooms for players and officials close to the said airport, but we were told by all hotels approached that they have been instructed not to welcome Nigerians. Our aircraft crew went searching for hotel rooms but were told the same thing.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement read.
Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong had earlier confirmed that the team will not play their 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya on Tuesday after being stranded for no less than 12 hours at the Al Abraq Airport.
Troost-Ekong in a statement on his official X account on Monday morning said he and his teammates will return home to Nigeria, describing the terrible conditions they have had to endure since their arrival in Libya on Sunday.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending,” the central defender lamented.
“The Libyan government decided to rescind our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.
“They have also locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games,” Troost-Ekong said.
“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour,” Troost-Ekong added. “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.”
According to Troost-Ekong, the pilot attempted to find nearby accommodations but was denied access by local hotels, reportedly under government instructions.
“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew, but was 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.”
As the situation worsened, the Super Eagles decided that they would not go ahead with the match, prepared to forfeit the three points.
“At this point, we have called for our Nigerian government to intervene and rescue us,” Troost-Ekong stated.
“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 this kind of behaviour, let them have the points.”
The captain emphasized that the players no longer felt safe, expressing concerns about traveling by road or even the quality of accommodations and food should they continue with the game.
“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.”
Troost-Ekong also called for better treatment in international football, comparing their hospitality in Nigeria to the treatment they’ve received in Libya.
“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 international football.”
Troost-Ekong, meanwhile, had earlier said that Friday’s game should prepare the team better when they face Libya on Tuesday, adding that he was also expecting a hostile atmosphere.
Nigeria defeated Libya 1-0 in their third match of the 2025 AFCON qualification series on Friday evening but the team had to sweat to secure the victory.
Fisayo Ayodele-Bashiru broke the deadlock for Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, after coming off the bench in the 74th minute, replacing Alex Iwobi.
Libyan authorities on Sunday night held the Super Eagles and their officials hostage at the Al Abaq airport in Al Abaq, according to a statement the media officer, Promise Efoghe posted on the team’s WhatsApp platform.
