The Nigerian Super Eagles faced a distressing ordeal at Libya’s Al Abaq Airport on October 13, 2024, where they were held for over 16 hours by Libyan authorities. The team, who had departed Nigeria earlier in the day, were en route to Benghazi for their crucial AFCON 2025 qualifier when their flight was suddenly diverted an hour before landing, stranding them over two hours away from their destination.
The diversion, which left the players and officials without support or accommodations, triggered outrage among fans and sports commentators. In videos shared by the team, players were seen resting on airport chairs, exhausted from the unexpected delay. According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), efforts to arrange transportation and accommodation were disrupted due to local authorities’ uncooperative stance, with nearby hotels allegedly refusing to house the Nigerian team. This incident followed Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya in the first leg in Uyo on October 10.
Sports Minister Senator John Enoh condemned the treatment of the Super Eagles, stating, “The Nigerian government will not tolerate any form of mistreatment toward our players and officials.” He reassured fans that the government was working to resolve the situation swiftly while urging calm as diplomatic efforts continued.
The Super Eagles’ match against Libya is set for October 15, 2024, though the uncertainty around the team’s readiness remains a concern given the prolonged delays and lack of rest.
