AFCON 2025 qualifier: Super Eagles stranded at Libya airport as Libyan authorities divert flight to another city

The Super Eagles are currently stranded in Libya ahead of their second leg AFCON 2025 Qualifier match. After Libya’s 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, October 11, both teams were set to face off again in Benina for their fourth Group D match. The Super Eagles departed Nigeria for Libya on Sunday, October 13.

However, according to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, their chartered plane was redirected to Al Abraq, a city over two hours away from their intended destination of Benghazi. The Libyan authorities did not provide transportation to help the Super Eagles reach Benghazi.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had to arrange alternative plans while dealing with frustrations from the hosts. The players and officials will now make the journey to Benghazi by road.

Videos shared by the NFF on Sunday night show Super Eagles players and officials trying to resolve the situation at a Libyan airport, where the gate had reportedly been locked to prevent their entry. There are suspicions that this move by the Libyan authorities is aimed at exhausting and frustrating the Nigerian team ahead of the game.