Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have made the decision to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya following a series of severe mishaps at Al Abraq Airport.
Story Summary:
- The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the Super Eagles will not play their scheduled AFCON qualifier against Libya due to severe logistical issues at Al Abraq Airport.
- The team endured over 12 hours of delay, prompting safety concerns and frustration among players.
- If this boycott is considered a forfeiture, it could affect Nigeria’s standing in the qualifiers.
Nigeria speaks out after horror Libya airport blunder
The team landed in Libya on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s match, but they were met with logistical chaos.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the team was diverted from their initial destination, Benghazi, to Al Abraq International Airport, where they were stranded for over 12 hours.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong voiced the team’s frustration, revealing that the Libyan hosts provided no reception or transportation from the airport, which is three hours away from the intended accommodation.
Troost-Ekong described the situation as a deliberate attempt to demoralise the team and noted the unsafe conditions in Libya, stating:
“We respect ourselves, but under these conditions, we won’t play.”
Other players, such as Victor Boniface and Bright Osayi-Samuel, also expressed their discontent on social media, citing the lack of food, safety, and basic amenities during the extended delay.
The NFF is considering flying the team back home due to concerns for the players’ safety and well-being.
This decision has thrown the Tuesday match into uncertainty, as the team refuses to proceed under the current conditions.
Super Eagles boycott the match: Here are the implications
The boycott has raised questions about the implications for Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON.
Currently, the Super Eagles top their qualifying group with 7 points from three matches, while Libya languishes at the bottom with 1 point.
According to CAF (Confederation of African Football) rules, if Nigeria’s boycott is considered a forfeiture, Libya could be awarded a 3-0 win by default.
Such an outcome could complicate Nigeria’s qualification campaign.
Though the Super Eagles are still in a strong position, the loss of points could narrow their margin for error in the remaining fixtures.
According to CAF regulations, forfeiting a match can severely impact a team’s standings, potentially pushing them into a more precarious qualifying situation, especially with other teams like Guinea and Mozambique vying for qualification spots.
The decision from CAF is now awaited, as this development could have a broader impact on the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
The outcome of the investigation into the events at Al Abraq Airport will determine whether Libya will be handed the points or if a rescheduled fixture will be arranged.