The Nigerian Super Eagles were reportedly held hostage by Libyan authorities at Al Abaq Airport on Sunday night, following their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The unexpected development created tension between the Nigerian national team and their Libyan counterparts, just days after the two teams clashed in a qualifying match.
According to the Super Eagles’ media officer, Promise Efoghe, the team’s chartered aircraft was redirected to an alternate city more than two hours away from their original destination, Benghazi. This diversion left the players and officials stranded at the airport, unable to proceed to their scheduled base.
The situation has stirred concerns about diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Libya, as the incident comes on the heels of earlier complaints from the Libyan national team regarding their own treatment when they visited Nigeria for the first leg of the AFCON qualifiers last week.
The Super Eagles had traveled to Libya fresh off a narrow 1-0 victory over the Libyan team in Nigeria, where Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored the winning goal just four minutes before the final whistle. The match had already stirred emotions, as Libyan players reportedly faced poor treatment upon arrival in Nigeria.
Libyan media reports claimed that the visiting players were dissatisfied with the conditions they encountered, alleging that Nigerian authorities did not provide adequate facilities or hospitality. While the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has not responded publicly to these accusations, the tensions seemed to have spilled over into the return fixture.
It is believed that these grievances played a part in the events at Al Abaq Airport, as Libyan officials may have acted out of retaliation for their perceived poor treatment in Nigeria.
Promise Efoghe, speaking to reporters, confirmed the delay and expressed frustration over the situation. He explained that the Super Eagles’ flight had been redirected unexpectedly, which led to the team being stuck at the airport for hours.
“Our chartered aircraft was approaching Benghazi, where we were supposed to land, but the authorities diverted the flight to another city that’s over two hours away,” Efoghe said. “This has caused a lot of discomfort for the players and officials, who were expecting to reach their base in Benghazi directly.”
He further stated that the team was in contact with the Nigerian embassy in Libya, and efforts were being made to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. “We are working with the Nigerian embassy to ensure that this situation is resolved and the team can proceed with their preparations for the AFCON qualifier,” he added.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly working behind the scenes to address the diplomatic tensions with Libyan authorities. While no official statement has been made by the NFF regarding the airport incident, sources within the federation have indicated that discussions are ongoing to ensure the Super Eagles are safely transported to their destination.
The Libyan team, led by coach Nasser Al-Hadiri, was visibly frustrated after their 1-0 defeat in Nigeria, which saw them miss out on crucial points in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Dele-Bashiru’s last-minute goal not only handed Nigeria a vital victory but also intensified the rivalry between the two sides.
Libya’s grievances with the treatment they received in Nigeria, coupled with their disappointment on the field, may have contributed to the airport standoff. While it remains unclear whether the Libyan government or football authorities directly ordered the diversion of the Super Eagles’ flight, the timing suggests a link between the two events.
Libyan players had previously voiced their concerns about inadequate facilities and alleged mistreatment during their stay in Nigeria. Some reports suggested that their accommodation and training grounds did not meet international standards, leading to dissatisfaction among the Libyan camp.