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October 14, 2024 NFF Pulls Super Eagles Out of AFCON Qualifier Following Libyan Airport Incident

NFF Pulls Super Eagles Out of AFCON Qualifier Following Libyan Airport Incident

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles will no longer participate in the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya after being stranded at Al Abraq Airport for over 12 hours.

According to an NFF statement on Monday, the team was left unattended upon arrival, with airport officials showing indifference to their situation. A video shared by the Eagles’ media team confirmed that players and officials, along with their luggage, were stranded at the airport.

The Super Eagles had departed for Libya on Sunday morning, ahead of their matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights. While they were scheduled to land in Benghazi, their ValueJet chartered flight was unexpectedly and dangerously diverted to Al Abraq Airport, a facility mainly used for Hajj operations. The Libyan Football Federation failed to send transportation or reception for the team, leaving them stuck hours away from their hotel in Benghazi.

The NFF had arranged vehicles for the team, but those plans were disrupted by the diversion. As a result, the players have decided not to proceed with the match, and the NFF is working on bringing the team back to Nigeria.

This decision comes after Nigeria's 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo on Friday, courtesy of a late goal by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

RELATED: Troost-Ekong Condemns Libyan Authorities After ‘Disgraceful’ Airport Incident

October 14, 2024 Troost-Ekong Condemns Libyan Authorities After ‘Disgraceful’ Airport Incident

Troost-Ekong Condemns Libyan Authorities After ‘Disgraceful’ Airport Incident

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has condemned the treatment of the Nigerian national team after they were stranded for over 12 hours at Al Abraq Airport in Libya. The team, en route to Benghazi for their 2025 AFCON qualifier, was redirected to the abandoned airport without explanation.

In a series of tweets, Troost-Ekong called the situation "disgraceful" and accused Libyan authorities of playing "mind games." The team had no access to food, drink, or phone connections, while the airport gates were locked. He also revealed that the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected diversion, was denied hotel accommodation, forcing the Nigerian crew to sleep on the plane.

READ ALSO: Eagles Threaten to Boycott AFCON Qualifier After Being Detained by Libyan Authorities at Airport

Troost-Ekong declared the team’s decision not to play the match due to safety concerns and called for intervention from the Nigerian government. He questioned the safety of traveling by road in Libya and expressed doubts about their accommodations.

The Confederation of African Football has yet to comment on the situation.

October 14, 2024 Eagles Threaten to Boycott AFCON Qualifier After Being Detained by Libyan Authorities at Airport

Eagles Threaten to Boycott AFCON Qualifier After Being Detained by Libyan Authorities at Airport

The Super Eagles have threatened to boycott their 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya after being stranded at Al Abraq Airport for more than 12 hours. According to a statement from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department on Monday, the Nigerian delegation has been stuck at the airport since their arrival.

A video shared by the Eagles’ media team confirmed the situation, showing players and officials stranded along with their luggage, while Libyan airport officials remained indifferent. The team had departed for Libya on Sunday morning in preparation for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.

Although the match is set to take place at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, just 10 kilometers from Benghazi, reports indicate that the team was diverted to another city upon arrival. The NFF stated that their chartered ValueJet aircraft was unexpectedly and dangerously diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, a facility mainly used for Hajj operations, just as the plane was preparing to land in Benghazi.

Fatigue set in as the players and officials waited at the airport without any reception from the Libyan Football Federation. No vehicles were provided to transport the team, and their hotel was reportedly three hours away in Benghazi. Although the NFF had arranged for vehicles to pick up the delegation, the diversion of the flight derailed those plans.

The players have now resolved not to participate in the match, while NFF officials work on flying the team back to Nigeria. This incident follows Nigeria's recent 1-0 victory over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored a late winner.

October 11, 2024 AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Eguavoen Confident Boniface Can Break Super Eagles’ Goal Drought

AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Eguavoen Confident Boniface Can Break Super Eagles’ Goal Drought

Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen is confident that Victor Boniface will finally find the net for the national team in their match against Libya on Friday. Despite failing to score in his first eight appearances for Nigeria, Boniface is set to lead the attack against the Mediterranean Knights in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Eguavoen expressed optimism that the Bayer Leverkusen star will break his international goal drought against the North African side. “Victor Boniface has always been a part of this team and will continue to be a part of this team,” Eguavoen told reporters in Uyo. “Yes, he hasn’t found the back of the net yet, but I can assure you that if he starts tomorrow, he will score.”

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