Super Eagles prepare for departure after nightmare stay in Libya

• Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) withdrew the team from their Tuesday, 2025 AFCON qualifier match against Libya
• The Super Eagles reportedly endured hostile treatment and poor coordination from Libyan authorities
• William Troost-Ekong shared all the distressing updates on the situation via X

The Super Eagles are finally preparing to leave Libya after enduring a distressing 12-hour delay at Al Abraq International Airport. Players and coaches of the Nigerian national team were left stranded due to an unexpected diversion, which ignited frustrations over a lack of assistance from the country’s local authorities. 

Assistant captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to provide updates, revealing that their Valuejet chartered flight was being fueled and hopeful that their ordeal might soon be over.

Troost-Ekong shared his thoughts on the incident via his X account, 

“Power of social media. Apparently, our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support! 🇳🇬. I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!” 

TheRadar had earlier reported that the Super Eagles team’s chartered flight, initially en route to Benghazi, was diverted to Al Abraq, a smaller airport used mostly for religious operations, just before it was set to land. This unexpected diversion not only confused the team but left them stranded for more than half a day without a clear resolution.

Frustration grew when it was revealed that the Libyan Football Federation had not provided the necessary arrangements for the team's transportation, 

“Can I shock you?! The pilot has just told us there has been fuel at this airport for the plane all this time. They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine?! So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!! Still just waiting,” Troost-Ekong vented, earlier updating Nigerians on the dire situation.

The Nigerian national team's distressing experience at Al Abraq Airport, filled with unnecessary delays and unprofessional treatment, led to their decision not to play in the match slated for Tuesday, October 15. While it has been an ordeal, the Super Eagles team is now ready to return home.

More trouble for Libya as federation president resigns after Super Eagles win

Previously, TheRadar reported that Libyan football had been plunged into disarray just days before a crucial AFCON 2025 qualifier as Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, the embattled President of the Libyan Football Federation, submitted his resignation. 

His exit comes on the heels of Libya's 1-0 defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday, October 11 in a tense match during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Al-Shalmani’s resignation, which many saw as inevitable, shows deeper issues within the Libyan football leadership hierarchy.