CAF keeps mum as Super Eagles remain stranded in Libya
After more than 12 gruelling hours at the Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, the Confederation of African Football has yet to address the situation of Nigeria’s Super Eagles who have been stranded at the airport since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
The Nigerian contingent had endured a long stay at the airport after their chartered aircraft which was billed to land at the Benghazi Airport ahead of the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday, was diverted to the Al Abraq Airport.
However, the continent’s football governing body was yet to issue any statement either condemning the act from the Libyan authorities or providing more details on the situation.
Checks by PUNCH Online on the website and the X, Facebook and Instagram handles of the football body observed that CAF had yet to issue any statements as of the time of filing this report.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, says it’s currently in touch with the Nigerian Mission in Libya concerning the state of the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation had decided to pull the Super Eagles out of the qualifier match against Libya.
Super Eagles players stranded in Libya
“The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya is still at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after landing. The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and dangerously, diverted to the small airport just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi Airport,” the NFF stated.
“About an hour to landing, the Nigerian aircraft approaching its destination, Benghazi, was diverted to another city more than a two-hour drive from the original destination.
“Libya authorities hold Super Eagles and officials hostage at the Al Abaq airport in Al Abaq,” the Eagles media team said.
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, wrote on his X handle, “Over 14 hours spent at an abandoned Libyan airport. No food, no water, no internet access prior to mind games on a match expected to be played tomorrow, No! This is absolutely crazy!!! #CAF_Online, please do the needful.”
Also, forward Victor Boniface tweeted, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. Africa, we can do better.”
Netizens have continued to vent their frustration at CAF, calling for their immediate intervention.
A user on X.com, Pride of Rivers tweeting as #PrideOfRivers, wrote, “Remember 2021 when Rivers United were forced to train in the dark in Libya after the stadium lights went off while training. The Libyans are terrible folks. #CAF_Online, you better do something about this.”
Another X user, Leo Dasilva, tweeting as SirLeoBDasilva, wrote, “Hello, #CAF_Online. We need our Super Eagles back safe and sound. We need intervention from our government #NGRPresident to guarantee the safe return of the players from Libya.”
One tweep, UG, with the username #UgwunnaEjikem, stated, “Boycotting the match is the right decision. NFF should send a plane asap and get our boys home. If CAF won’t reschedule the match at a neutral venue, then let Libya take the three points. Two+ decades of watching football and I’ve never seen anything like this. Insane!”
