Following the maltreatment of the super eagles by the Libyan authorities, The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have declared that the players would no longer participate in the 2025 AFCON qualifier match against Libya.
This comes after the Libyan airport authorities left the team unattended to, for over 12 hours after landing at the Al Abraq Airport as announced in a statement by the NFF Communications Department on Monday.
A video posted by the Eagles media team also confirmed the development, as the players and officials, along with their luggage, were left stranded at the airport, with the Libyan airport officials indifferent to their plight.
The Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday morning, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights.
Libya was to host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi, but reports emerged that they were diverted to another city.
“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,” the statement read in part.
It added that the players have resolved not to play the match any longer, as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.
The NFF also added that efforts to secure accommodations for the players around the airport proved abortive as the hotels refused to accept Nigerians; they were acting on instructions, they said.
Nigeria secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday courtesy of a late Fisayo Dele-Bashiru strike.
It is still unknown why the Libyan authorities would subject the Super Eagles to such treatment as the host country
