Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have announced their decision to boycott their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya due to mistreatment after being stranded overnight at a Libyan airport. The team’s plane, initially scheduled to land in Benghazi, was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq, around 230km away. After arriving, the team was locked inside the airport, left without basic necessities such as food, wi-fi, or adequate sleeping arrangements, sparking outrage among the players and staff.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong called for the Nigerian government to intervene, citing safety concerns and accusing the Libyan authorities of engaging in “mind games.” The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied any wrongdoing, stating that the flight diversion was due to routine protocols and not intentional. However, Troost-Ekong and other players expressed fear for their safety, refusing to travel by road to Benghazi due to Libya’s volatile security situation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, expressed concerns about the team’s safety and urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to lodge a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (Caf). Caf has referred the matter to its disciplinary board for investigation.
This incident follows complaints by Libyan officials about poor treatment during their visit to Nigeria for the reverse fixture. The NFF has denied those claims, while tensions between both teams have intensified. Despite efforts by Caf to ensure the match proceeds as scheduled, Nigeria’s team insists they are unwilling to play due to the psychological impact and security risks associated with the situation.
