Super Eagles Stranded in Libya Ahead of AFCON Qualifier, Face Tough Travel Ordeal
By Matthew Eloyi
Nigeria’s senior male football team, the Super Eagles, are stranded in Libya ahead of their AFCON 2025 Qualifier match, following a travel disruption.
The team was set to face Libya in Benina for the second leg of their Group D fixture, after defeating the Libyans 1-0 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday.
The Super Eagles departed Nigeria on Sunday afternoon, but according to reports from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), their aircraft was diverted to Al Abraq, a city more than two hours away from their intended destination, Benghazi. The diversion occurred just an hour before the team was expected to land in Benghazi.
The players and officials are now forced to travel by road to Benghazi for the crucial match. Videos released by the NFF on Sunday night showed Nigerian players and staff attempting to resolve the situation at a Libyan airport, where local authorities reportedly failed to provide transport to Benghazi.
Efforts by the NFF to secure alternative transportation were reportedly thwarted by the Libyan hosts, with the airport gate locked to prevent a bus from entering.
A source familiar with the situation expressed concerns that this was a deliberate tactic to frustrate the Super Eagles ahead of the game.
“The tactics are targeted at frustrating the boys and wearing them out ahead of the game. They want to make it difficult for them to prepare for the match,” the insider revealed.
Libya currently sits at the bottom of Group D with one point, while Nigeria leads the group with seven points, followed by Benin Republic (six) and Rwanda (two).
