*FG Sends ‘Supplies’ To Team

*Actions Deliberate Tactic To Weaken Super Eagles, Says Osimhen

*‘We faced Difficulties Too In Nigeria’

NIGERIA has pulled out of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Libya and were headed home on Monday, October 14 following the mistreatment of the country’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, at the host nation on arrival.

     The Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday morning, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match-day 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights.

Libya was to host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi, however, reports emerged that they were diverted to another city.

     Nigeria defeated Libya in the first leg fixture in Uyo on Friday, October 11 through a late goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, which took them to seven points from three games in their group, with Benin having six points, Rwanda two and Libya one.

The top two teams in each group advance to the 24-team finals.

     The team’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, had earlier said in protest at being diverted and abandoned for hours in an airport far from the match venue, where they were due to play the host in the city of Benghazi in their bid to seal qualification for the finals in Morocco next year.

But after being stranded for over 16 hours at an airport, which is about  250 kilometres (155 miles) away from their venue, the Nigeria players said they were not going to play the match, wondering what awaited them at Benghazi if the host could treat them so shabbily on arrival in the country.

Troost-Ekong said on his X handle: “As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game.

 “Apparently, our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it had begun plans to evacuate Super Eagles players and officials from Libya. 

In a statement on Monday, the Federation explained that the team was still at the Al Abraq Airport, adding: “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.

      “The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.

      “Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed, 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.”

  Striker, Victor Osimhen, who is on-loan to Galatasaray from Napoli recalled that he had a similar experience when Nigerian team was left stranded at a Libyan airport ahead of a match in the north African country during his Under-17 days, adding he could only imagine how terrible they must feel.

      Osimhen, who was not included in the squad  due to injury, declared support for his teammate on his Instagram page, saying: “I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches are facing at the Libya 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.

      “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.

      “This attempt by Libyan FA is no longer just a delay; it’s an intentional tactic to weaken and ruin the morale. The safety and well-being of my teammates and all the team staffs are the most important things right now.

      “Our captain has said we won’t play the match and I fully support that, except if the game is taken to a neutral ground. My brothers and coaches must return home safely, we are not criminals or prisoners.

     “I can imagine how terrible they must feel right now, as I’ve had a similar experience during my Under-17 days.

     “This is totally unfair and heartbreaking. Again, I call on CAF, the Nigerian Government and other relevant authorities to act swiftly and ensure their safe return.”

     Striker, Victor Boniface, complained he had been stuck at the airport for almost 13 hours with no food, WiFi or place to sleep, saying on X: “Africa, we can do better.”

     However, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said the incident was not deliberate, urging Nigeria to be understanding, adding: “We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional,” recalling that it faced a similar situation in Nigeria the previous week when it arrived for the first leg of the match.

It stated that disruptions can occur from routine air traffic protocols, security checks or other logistical challenges, insisting: “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government said it had sent “necessary supplies” to the team. A statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Monday, said he had been monitoring the situation closely and had temporarily sent some relief materials to the players.

“I have been closely monitoring the situation involving the Super Eagles in Libya. Through the Head of the Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Ambassador Stephen Anthony Awuru, the Mission has maintained contact with the NFF and the Libyan authorities since last night.

      “Despite efforts, Libyan authorities have not yet authorised the Nigerian Mission’s trip to Bayda City, where the airport is located.

“In the meantime, the Head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi, Mr. Morris Eromosele, arrived at the location at 6a.m. this morning with necessary supplies and internet access.

“We will continue to follow developments and await a report for further action.”

On his part, Minister of Sports, John Enoh, said he had escalated the matter to all concerned authorities, noting: “I strongly condemn the obnoxious treatment meted on players and officials, who arrived Libya, yesterday, the 13th of October, for the reverse version of the match played on Friday in Uyo, the AFCON 2025 Group D qualifiers.

“The team was en route Benghazi, but was diverted on approach the airport (with very scant attention to their safety) to Al Abaq Airport, which is hours away from Benghazi, where their match is slated to take place.

“All through the night, I have escalated the matter and involved all necessary authorities, from the Foreign Affairs Minister; the National Security Adviser; DG NIA to Amaju Pinnick, our CAF Executive member.

“I have also remained in touch with both the president of the NFF, who is on ground with the team, and Chairman of Value Jet, owners of the plane that airlifted the team to Libya.

“All hands must be on deck to protect our team. The team have succinctly stated that they have been unattended to for upwards of about 15 hours since arrival, with no food, no accommodation, left in a mosquito-infested environment and cordoned off by Libyan security not to step out of the airport and they have access to http://nothing.

“To say the least, they faced an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sports men set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday.

“For now, our primary concern is the safety of the members of our national team. With the events of the past hours, their safety is not guaranteed and the team insists they’re unable to go ahead with the match, not just because of the trauma and consequent psychological torture, but also because of fear for their safety.

“As Sports Minister, I have instructed the NFF president to lay a formal complaint to CAF without prejudice to any actions already taken. This must be on record and thoroughly addressed.   

“This morning, I was on a conference call with CAF president and CAF secretary general. While the CAF president’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team participate in tomorrow’s match, I have instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first, the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.

“There must be a serious adverse consequence to the Libyan Football Federation for this unspeakable behaviour. This cannot be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match, given the very obvious situation.

“Let me thank the team captain, William Troost-Ekong, for being hands-on and communicating very efficiently and effectively on the facts of the matter as it concerns our national team in Libya.”