Felicia Udeji Reporting
Nigeria’s senior men’s national team encountered hostility upon arrival in Libya on Sunday, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.
The Super Eagles media team confirmed that players and officials were held hostage by Libyan authorities at Al Abaq Airport in Al Abaq. A video showed the team stranded at the airport, with Libyan officials seemingly unconcerned and conversing in Arabic.
Initially scheduled to fly into Tripoli and travel by road to Benghazi, the team changed plans to avoid unnecessary strain. They chartered a flight with a brief stopover in Kano before continuing to Benghazi.
However, reports emerged that the team was diverted to another city, over two hours away from the original destination. “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,” the Eagles media team stated.
Furthermore, the team was held hostage at the airport, as confirmed by the media team: “Libya authorities hold Super Eagles and officials hostage at the Al Abaq airport in Al Abaq.”
This development comes after Nigeria secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya on Friday, courtesy of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s late strike. The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15.
The Confederation of African Football appointed Cape Verdean official Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine as referee, assisted by Djêry Gomes Lopes and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson. Burkina Faso’s Hamidou Diero will serve as fourth official.
Somalian Amir Abdi Hassan is the match commissioner, while Malian Dramane Dante will assess refereeing. Algerian official Rachid Medjiba oversees security.
The Super Eagles aim to maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifying series.