Libyan Airport: Nigeria Super Eagles pulls out of AFCON qualifier




The Nigeria Football Federation has decided to pull the Super Eagles out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

This follows a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.

It was reported that the Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was dangerously diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.

The unexpected diversion left players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation.

In a statement on Monday, the NFF detailed the chaotic situation, explaining that the team remained at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.

“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 further noted that the fatigued and frustrated players have now resolved not to play the match.

The NFF, supporting the players’ decision, is currently arranging for the team to fly back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture.

“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.

Reacting to the situation, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by the Libyan authorities.

In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Troost-Ekong described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the hosts of playing “mind games.”


He revealed that the team is being kept in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drink, or phone connections.

“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.

“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” he wrote.

Troost-Ekong also mentioned the difficulties faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected change in destination but was subsequently refused accommodation for his crew under government orders.

While the pilot could rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were not allowed to stay, forcing them to sleep on the plane.

“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 anything like this before,” he wrote.

“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction. He could sleep there, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked up,” Troost-Ekong added. 

Popular posts from this blog

Shiite Muslim's Protest turns bloody in Abuja leaving two policemen dead, others injured

Image
PHOTOS: Viewers discretion adviced!  An unplanned protest by Shiite Muslims in Abuja today has left two policemen dead, others injured with ten of the protesters gunned down by the police.  The attack which occurred around the Zone 7 police command at Zone 3 Wuse left lots of panic amongst residents and the nearby Wuse market, which was later shutdown as a result of the incident.  The remains of those killed in the course of the attack have been taken to the Wuse General Hospital while some others in critical condition were rushed to National Hospital Abuja.  So far no statement has been issued by either the Force Public Relations Officer or the group that carried out the attack.  The Supreme Leader of the Shiite group, known as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky have been behind some key protests in the North.  After spending five months receiving medical treatment in Iran, Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah returned to Abuja early th...
Read more

EEDC ANNOUNCES GENERAL SYSTEM COLLAPSE

Image
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has informed it's esteemed customers of a general system collapse that occurred at 18:48 hours today, 14th October, 2024.  According to a statement issued by EEDC Head, Corporate Communication, Emeka Eze, the collapse has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across EEDC network. Consequently, due to this development, all our according to him "interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide services to our customers in Abia, Anambra,  Ebonyi,  Enugu, and Imo States". "We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo. 
Read more

Unbearable Cost: Table, sachet water producers shut down production in Enugu

Image
  The Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) says it will shut down and suspend production in all water producing factories in Enugu State due to unbearable high cost of production. This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of ATWAP,  Enugu State Chapter, Tony Edike and its State Secretary, Sir Clems Nwamadi, on Sunday in Enugu. The statement was issued after members of ATWAP Enugu State Chapter held an emergency meeting in Enugu on Feb.8, 2024, on challenges confronting all members of the association. It said from Monday, Feb. 12 to Thursday, Feb.15, 2024 all Table Water Producers in Enugu State including Sachets and Pet Bottles are required to down tools and suspend all production. According to the statement, "this is to enable us to seek a workable solution to the many challenges being faced by our members". “The current harsh economic situation in the country especially as it affects materials and other logistics for the productio...
Read more