Nigeria’s Super Eagles Boycott AFCON Qualifier Against Libya Over Inhumane Treatment

Nigeria‘s national football team, the Super Eagles, has announced their decision to boycott the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya following a harrowing experience at Al Abraq Airport in Libya. The team was stranded at the airport for over 17 hours after their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted from Benghazi Airport, where they were originally supposed to land.

The diversion, which occurred during the flight’s descent, left the team without access to food, water, or communication. Team captain William Troost-Ekong described the situation as “psychological games” and “mind games” aimed at demoralizing the Nigerian squad. Images shared by the players showed them resting on airport seating with their luggage nearby, in an almost deserted airport.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has organized the team’s repatriation and filed a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Victor Osimhen, the star forward who is currently injured, termed the situation a “hostage scenario” and called for severe penalties against Libya. Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, who was with the team, also supported the decision to withdraw from the match and suggested that Libya should be banned from international football.

The incident follows a previous complaint by the Libyan team about alleged mistreatment during their visit to Nigeria for the first leg of the qualifier, which Nigeria won 1-0. However, the NFF and Nigerian sports minister, John Owan Enoh, have denied these allegations and called for mutual respect.

Premier League players such as Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, and Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi were among those stranded at the airport. The team’s decision not to play the match may result in them forfeiting points, but they have emphasized the importance of their safety and well-being).