Nigeria Boycotts AFCON Qualifier After Being Stranded at Airport

Nigeria will boycott their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya on Tuesday after their players were left stranded at an airport overnight.

The Super Eagles squad were due to land in Benghazi on Sunday, but their plane was instead diverted to Al Abraq, which is about 230km away from their intended destination.

A Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, official said the travelling contingent were “completely abandoned” and then locked inside the airport after making arrangements to leave.

Captain William Troost-Ekong said the squad had decided not to play the game and called on his country’s government “to intervene and rescue us”.

Nigeria’s minister of sports development senator John Owan Enoh said the main concern was the safe return of the team.

The Libyan Football Federation, LFF, said they were “deeply concerned” by reports about the situation experienced by the travelling side but denied suggestions of foul play.

The Confederation of African Football has been in contact with representatives from Libya and Nigeria after the Super Eagles were “stranded in disturbing conditions”.

A Caf statement added that the matter has been referred to its disciplinary board for investigation and action will be taken if its statutes and regulations have been violated.