A diplomatic row may potentially brew between Nigeria and the war-torn north African nation, Libya, following the ill-treatment of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.
The Super Eagles, who were en route to Benghazi for their return leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, found themselves stranded after their chartered flight was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, an airport typically used for hajj operations.
This diversion occurred just days after the Super Eagles thrashed Libya 1:0 in Uyo, Nigeria, in the first leg of their encounter.
Upon arrival, the Nigerian delegation faced a frustrating 12-hour ordeal with no assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation or basic amenities. In response, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) threatened to pull the Super Eagles out of Tuesday’s AFCON qualifier against Libya.
Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment received, describing a humiliating lack of food, accommodation, and communication facilities at the airport. “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games,” he lamented on X.
Nigeria’s Govt Intervenes
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in touch with the Nigerian Mission in Libya to address the situation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar revealed efforts to rescue the stranded team but lamented that Libyan authorities had yet to authorize travel to Bayda City, where the airport is located.
The incident has drawn nationwide criticism in Nigeria, with calls for the immediate withdrawal of the Super Eagles from the competition. Sports Minister John Enoh described the situation as an “almost hostage” scenario but said the safety of the team was the primary concern as of now. He reported the incident to all necessary authorities and urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to address the matter urgently.
In all of this, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is vacationing in faraway France. Typically, powerful nations take more decisive diplomatic action to express their disgust at such disrespectful treatment of their citizens and to exert their right to protection and courtesy in foreign lands.
As the diplomatic and footballing communities await the decision of the Nigerian presidency, the incident is an embarrassing reminder of the growing trend of disregard for Nigerians in other countries, which needs to stop.
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