*Pix above: The heroic Eagles stranded in Libya
It was a show of shame at the Al Abraq Airport in Al Abraq, Libya, from Sunday to Monday as players and officials of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team were held hostage by Libyan authorities upon their arrival in the country ahead of Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifying Group D clash with the Mediterranean Knights.
The Nigerian contingent was stranded for nearly 20 hours without food or water and completely shut out of the world.
Nigeria had flown into Libya on Sunday afternoon but were diverted to the Al Abraq Airport, which is over 200 km and three and a half hours drive away from the planned camp site instead of Benghazi Airport, their original destination.
According to the account, it all started when the Libyan authorities abruptly refused to supply jet fuel to ValueJet, the official carrier for the Super Eagles, culminating in the Nigerian team being stranded.
The reasons for the fuel embargo remain unclear, but it sparked outrage among Nigerians as well as the international community, which viewed the situation as an unnecessary obstruction to the national team’s plans for the game that was eventually abandoned.
Airport Nightmare
In a disturbing video posted by the Eagles media team, the players and officials, along with their luggage, were left stranded at the airport, with the Libyan airport officials being indifferent to their plight and conversing in Arabic.
Some players were captured sleeping on the iron chairs at the terminal while others slept in sitting postures.
The Al Abraq International Airport, typically used for hajj operations, lacked basic amenities, leaving players and officials tired and frustrated. No reception team or vehicles were provided by the Libyan Football Federation, forcing the Nigeria Football Federation to arrange separate transportation.
Players lament ordeal
Some tired and fatigued Super Eagles players took to social media accounts to decry the unpalatable situation as follows:
Troost-Ekong: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.
“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.
“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew, but he was denied at every hotel again under government instruction. He could sleep there, but NO Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane, which is parked up.
“At this point, we have called for our Nigerian government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here.
“Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here, even with security; it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us if we continued.
“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen, but these things on purpose have nothing to do with [international] football.”
Moses Simon: “Super Eagles weathering the situation in Libya as we are held hostage.”
Bright Osayi-Samuel: “I’ve been stuck in a random Libyan airport for 15 hours with no guarantee of health and safety… We can do better.”
Stanley Nwabali: “Over 14 hours spent at an abandoned Libyan airport. No food, no water, no internet access—this is absolutely crazy! #CAF_Online, please do the needful.”
Victor Boniface: “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. Africa, we can do better. This is getting scary now. You guys can have the point; we just want to return to our country.”
Victor Osimhen: “I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches faced at the Libyan airport last night. Actions like this go against the spirit of sportsmanship. My support is with my team, and I know they’ll stay strong despite these obstacles.”
Leon Balogun: “I call on CAF and other football bodies to intervene, as my teammates and officials are still stranded at the airport in Libya. This is uncalled for and inhumane. We stand together, stronger than ever.
“Surely you’re going to investigate thoroughly and take action, right? Whoever is responsible for these needs to be held accountable. This is unacceptable!!”
As FG reacts
The Federal Government summoned Libya’s Chargé d’affaires to resolve the issue.
“We have summoned the Libyan chargé d’affaires,” Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed to State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
Also. the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement, condemned the unfortunate development. “Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libyan authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for today in the country.
“She noted that travelling by road in Libya is most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country.
“Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advise appropriately.
“She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves,” the statement read in part.(agency)///
