CAF keeps mum as Super Eagles remain stranded in Libya

After more than 12 exhausting hours at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain stranded, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yet to address their situation. The team arrived on Sunday afternoon, but their chartered flight, intended to land at Benghazi Airport for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, was diverted to Al Abraq Airport.

Despite the distressing circumstances, CAF has not released any statements condemning the actions of Libyan authorities or providing updates on the matter. A review of CAF’s official website and social media channels—X, Facebook, and Instagram—showed no announcements had been made at the time of this report.

In response to the ongoing issue, the Nigerian government, represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, is in communication with the Nigerian Mission in Libya to monitor the situation of the Super Eagles.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made the decision to withdraw the Super Eagles from the qualifying match against Libya. In a statement, the NFF explained, “The Nigerian delegation remains at Al Abraq Airport over 12 hours after arrival. The ValueJet chartered flight was inexplicably diverted to this smaller airport just as the pilot was finalizing the approach to Benghazi Airport.”

The NFF added that about an hour before their expected landing, the Nigerian aircraft was redirected to a location more than two hours away from their intended destination. The media team for the Super Eagles noted, “Libyan authorities are effectively holding the Super Eagles and their officials hostage at Al Abraq Airport.”

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali expressed his frustration on X, stating, “We have spent over 14 hours at a deserted Libyan airport. No food, no water, and no internet access before a crucial match tomorrow. This is absolutely outrageous! #CAF_Online, please intervene.”

Forward Victor Boniface also shared his experience, tweeting, “I’ve been at the airport for nearly 13 hours, with no food, no Wi-Fi, and nowhere to rest. Africa, we can do better.”

Social media users have been vocal about their discontent with CAF, urging for swift action. A user on X, going by the handle #PrideOfRivers, recalled a previous incident: “Remember 2021 when Rivers United had to train in the dark in Libya after the stadium lights failed? The Libyans are terrible. #CAF_Online, you must take action.”

Another user, Leo Dasilva, tweeted, “Hello, #CAF_Online. We need our Super Eagles back safely. We require intervention from our government #NGRPresident to ensure the players’ safe return from Libya.”

One Twitter user, known as #UgwunnaEjikem, commented, “Boycotting the match is the right choice. NFF should dispatch a plane immediately to bring our players home. If CAF won’t reschedule the match at a neutral venue, then let Libya take the three points. After two decades of watching football, I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s absurd!”