AFCON qualifiers: Super Eagles to boycott Libya game

The Super Eagles have threatened to boycott the return leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made this known in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, on Monday.

Olajire stated that the decision was a result of the obvious maltreatment by the Libyan government officials who kept and refused to clear the entire Nigerian team at the Al Abaq airport.

Olajire said: “The fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed. This is 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 three 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.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”

‘No Nigerian allowed’: Super Eagles captain speaks on Libya airport ordeal

The Super Eagles were billed to play hosts Libya on Tuesday in the return leg of the AFCON qualifiers.

Nigeria had defeated Libya 1-0 in the first leg in Uyo on Friday to maintain leadership of Group D, after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s 86th-minute strike off a cross from Moses Simon.

The Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, said the team left on a chartered flight from Uyo to Benghazi on Sunday morning ahead of the return leg match.

But the Nigerian delegation was held hostage by Libyan authorities at the Al-Abaq airport on Sunday night for over 12 hours.

Efoghe explained that the team’s chartered aircraft on approaching its destination in Benghazi was diverted to another city, more than a two-hour drive from the original base.

He said: “Libyan authorities held Super Eagles, officials hostage at the Al Abaq airport in Al Abaq.

“About an hour to landing, the Nigerian aircraft approaching its destination, Benghazi was diverted to another city more than two-hour drive from the original destination.”

A victory for the Super Eagles against the Mediterranean Knights in Benina on Tuesday night would have virtually sealed a ticket to the 35th AFCON finals in Morocco.

The Star