Nigeria was set to face Libya in the return fixture of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers on October 15.
However, the team will not participate following a harrowing experience at Al Abraq Airport, where they were stranded for over 18 hours without basic amenities.
This unexpected ordeal raised concerns about the safety and fairness of the match, with both teams preparing for potential legal and disciplinary actions as CAF reviews the situation.
Stranded in Libya: What Happened?
The Super Eagles arrived in Benghazi on Sunday but were unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq Airport, a remote location several hours away from their intended destination.
Upon landing, the team found no Libyan officials to welcome them.
Worse still, the airport gate was locked, and the players were left without food, water, or internet access, with no explanation from the authorities.
After enduring more than 15 hours in these conditions, the Nigerian delegation decided to return home, citing security concerns.
Aviation fuel was eventually sold to the team, but at an inflated price, allowing their flight to depart later that evening.
Nigeria’s Response and CAF’s Investigation
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF promptly reported the incident to CAF, expressing outrage at the poor treatment of their national team.
In a statement released on Monday, CAF condemned the situation:
“We view the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigeria National Football Team Super Eagles at an airport in Libya in a very serious light.
CAF has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it was informed that the Super Eagles and their technical team were stranded in distressing conditions for several hours at an airport, allegedly directed by the Libyan authorities.
The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
Meanwhile, the Libyan Football Federation expressed disappointment, blaming Nigeria for refusing to play the scheduled match. They announced plans to take legal action against Nigeria and issued an apology to their fans for the disruption.
The Libya National team trained, Monday, for their AFCON Qualifier against Nigeria. Photo | X
Despite the ordeal, Libya’s national team trained on Monday, showing readiness to proceed with the match.
Five Possible Outcomes as CAF Reviews the Case
Stranded: Super Eagles players left in the Al Abraq Airport for 15 hours. The Players and team officials slept on seats. Photo | X
As CAF investigates the incident, several outcomes are possible. Here are four potential scenarios that could unfold:
1. Points Awarded to Libya
CAF could decide to award three points and three goals to Libya if they determine that Nigeria was at fault for not fulfilling their obligation to play. Libya might argue that they provided transport the following day, even if it didn’t meet Nigeria’s expectations. If CAF rules that Nigeria’s refusal to use the available bus amounts to non-compliance, Libya could be awarded the victory by default.
2.Rescheduling the Game at a Neutral Venue
A more balanced outcome would be for CAF to reschedule the game at a neutral location, ensuring both teams have a fair chance to compete. Given Nigeria’s concerns about returning to Libya, CAF might choose a different location to ensure fairness and security. However, finding a suitable date for the rescheduled game could be challenging due to the packed football calendar.
3. Points Awarded to Nigeria
CAF could decide that Libya failed to meet their obligations as hosts, compromising the safety of the Nigerian delegation. If CAF rules in Nigeria’s favor, the Super Eagles could be awarded three points and a 3-0 victory. This outcome would underscore CAF’s commitment to player welfare and fair treatment for visiting teams.
4.Disciplinary Actions Against Both Federations
CAF could penalize both Nigeria and Libya if it determines that both parties mishandled the situation. This could involve fines, warnings, or point deductions to discourage future incidents of this nature.
Current Group Standings
Despite the chaos, the Super Eagles remain in a strong position to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. With 7 points from previous matches, they lead their group, followed by Benin with 6 points, Rwanda with 2 points, and Libya at the bottom with just 1 point.
Several Nigerian players, frustrated by their ordeal, have expressed that they don’t care if Libya is awarded the points—they simply wanted to leave the country safely.
Even if CAF awards the points to Libya, though it will be entirely unfair, they are determined to qualify for the tournament and have stated that Libya can have the points if it comes to that extreme
The ball is now in CAF’s court as the disciplinary board reviews the submissions from both federations.
