Nigeria set to withdraw from 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya after 12-hour airport drama - 'Disgraceful behaviour'
Published 14/10/2024 at 18:40 GMT+1
The Nigeria men's football team endured a sleepless night after being stranded at the wrong airport in Libya with reportedly no food or water, ahead of their 2025 AFCON qualifier. As a result of the chaos, the players revealed via social media that they were heading for home and would not be playing the game. "Players have resolved not to play the match," the Nigerian FA said.
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Nigeria were due to play Libya on Tuesday in a 2025 AFCON qualifier, but are set to withdraw from the match after travel chaos saw them land over 200km from their intended destination.
Travelling on Sunday, the squad landed at the Al Abraq Airport, which is three and a half hours from where they were meant to be staying - having been diverted from their original destination of Benghazi.
Following the squad's arrival at Al Abraq, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) released a statement saying players and officials were stuck at the airport for over 12 hours through the night.
"The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday's 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya," the NFF said.
"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.
"The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home."
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has also released a statement, promising a full investigation after the “disturbing incident”.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” CAF said.
Meanwhile, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) also released a statement in light of the events, stating: "We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional.
"Disruptions can occur from routine air traffic protocols, security checks or other logistical challenges."
"We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill.
The incident came to light via the social media accounts of some of the players involved, with William Troost-Ekong one of the most vocal.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Libyan 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,” he said on X, formally Twitter.
“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.”
The incident comes in the wake of complaints by Libya of similar treatment when they flew to Nigeria. Libya’s captain Faisal Al-Badri took to Facebook to complain of travel chaos when they landed in Nigeria last week - prompting a statement in retort from the NFF.
“I spoke to the general secretary of LFF, at length, on Monday, 7th October and he never hinted that his team would be arriving on Tuesday [the following day]. He only said he would get back to me but he never did,” said Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, NFF’s assistant director.
“On Monday evening, someone sent as an advance party by the LFF called me and said his team would be arriving on Tuesday by noon. We made all arrangements to receive the team in Uyo on arrival.
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“It was only an hour after the team was airborne that he told me the delegation would be landing in Port Harcourt. That disrupted so many things, but we still raced on hurdles to get approval from federal authorities to allow their plane to fly them to Uyo once they concluded immigration formalities in Port Harcourt.
"Apparently, that would have meant additional cost to the LFF from the charter company, and they didn’t want that, so they preferred to travel from Port Harcourt to Uyo by road.”
Troost-Ekong has since posted that the team would be heading back to Nigeria.
"Apparently our plane is being fuelled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support," he wrote.
Nigeria are top of Group D as it stands, with seven points from three matches. Libya remain rooted to the bottom of the table, with Benin and Rwanda - the other two nations in Group D - set to play each other tomorrow.
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