The Super Eagles have confirmed that they would be leaving for Nigeria 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.
The captain of the team William Troost Ekong who spoke on X said the Nigeria plane is being fuelled and they would be leaving for Nigeria very soon.
“Power of social media. Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support!
I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!”
Super Eagles who arrived Libya on Sunday ahead of their Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya were also denied a place to stay on the instructions of the Libyan Government.
Troost wrote; “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games. I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. 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.
“Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be 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. At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. 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. 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.
“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 int. football.
“UPDATE: Can I shock you?! the pilot has just told us there has been fuel at this airport for the plane all this time. They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine?! So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!! Still just waiting. After our first tweets magically a team bus arrived and a driver who has been standing inside the airport filming us and laughing with some of the other staff since last night said the bus was ready 12 hours after we landed. Now we have been waiting for fuel since morning. At this point I’m even tired of laughing instead of crying.”
In a statement on Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation 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.
“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 Cause
Sources reveal that Libyan national football team allegedly faced a harsh reception upon arriving in Nigeria last Tuesday, with players held at Port Harcourt Airport for over three hours.
Libyan media shared images of team members sitting on the floor at Lagos airport after a long journey that started in Tripoli. The team had travelled to PH before heading to Uyo, where they played against Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday.
It was reported that the Nigerian Football Federation neglected to send a bus for the team, which resulted in the team being stranded at the airport for three hours. Eventually, three buses were provided to transport the team.
