On October 14, 2024, controversy erupted in the qualification campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following the ill-treatment meted on the Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles at Al Abraq Airport in Libya.
The Nigerian squad, en route to Benghazi for an AFCON qualifier scheduled for Tuesday, found their journey disrupted when their chartered plane was redirected approximately 230 kilometers away from their intended destination. The diversion, which came without prior notice, left the players and officials stranded for over 15 hours, reportedly without access to food, water, or a secure resting area.
According to reports, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) accused Libyan authorities of leaving the team “completely abandoned” and imposing a “prison-like” situation inside the airport, preventing them from making alternative travel arrangements.
The players, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, shared their ordeal on social media, with images showing team members sleeping on benches. Troost-Ekong called for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate the matter, accusing the Libyan authorities of playing “mind games” by intentionally causing the diversion and delays to disrupt Nigeria’s preparation for the match.
In a statement, the NFF confirmed that due to safety concerns, the Super Eagles would boycott the fixture, even if it meant forfeiting the points to Libya. This move prompted the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) to express “deep concern” over the allegations but denied any foul play, asserting that the flight diversion was an unintentional logistical issue and not a deliberate attempt to disrupt Nigeria’s plans. The LFF also refuted the accusations of “mind games” and stated that the incident was inconsistent with its values.
The controversy surrounding the Super Eagles’ treatment comes shortly after Libya made claims of mistreatment during their visit to Nigeria for the reverse fixture in Uyo. Libyan officials alleged that they were rerouted to Port Harcourt and left without transportation for hours, an accusation that the NFF denied, stating that all necessary arrangements were in place.
Meanwhile, CAF has launched a formal investigation, describing the treatment of the Nigerian team as “disturbing and unacceptable.” The organization stated that the issue would be referred to its Disciplinary Board to determine whether any violations of CAF Statutes and Regulations occurred.
As the situation unfolds, there are concerns about how this diplomatic spat could affect future AFCON qualifiers, as both nations seek to secure their spots at the 2025 tournament.
Striker Victor Osimhen, although not part of the squad for the current qualifiers, voiced his support for the team on social media, condemning the treatment and urging CAF to intervene. He emphasized that the actions went against the spirit of sportsmanship, calling the situation “inhumane.”
Despite the incident, Nigeria currently tops their qualifying group and would automatically secure a place at AFCON 2025 if the fixture with Libya proceeds and results in a victory.
The events at Al Abraq Airport highlight the ongoing challenges teams can face in international football, where logistical setbacks and diplomatic tensions can disrupt even the most carefully planned fixtures. The outcome of CAF’s investigation and any subsequent actions could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future.
