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For more than fifteen hours, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been left stranded at the Al Abraq airport, Al Abraq, Libya.
The Nigerian team landed in Libya on Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s AFCON 2025 qualifier.
However, things have not gone to plan and the Super Eagles have been kept hostage at an “abandoned airport” instead of the designated airport they were supposed to land.
WHAT HAPPENED?
According to Sports Journalist, Adepoju Tobi Samuel, the agreement and the approval the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) received was for the chartered flight flying the Nigerian contingent to land in Benghazi, a few minutes drive to Benina, where they were supposed to lodge.
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However, in a twist of events, while airborne, the plane was diverted to Al Abraq airport. Reports indicated the instruction for the diversion was one from a higher authority.
Meanwhile, while the plane was diverted to Al Abraq airport, the NFF transport arrangement was already settled in Benghazi. Despite the plane’s diversion, the Libyan FA failed to provide buses at Al Abraq Airport for the Super Eagles.
The team has been stranded at the airport for over 15 hours, with the gates locked and no exit allowed.
The NFF arranged alternative transport, but airport officials still refused to open the gates.
Al Abraq Airport is nearly a three-hour drive from Benina City. It’s a frustrating, confusing, and disappointing situation for the Super Eagles.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Boycott! That’s what’s next.
As at the time of filing this report, the NFF are making arrangements on how to return the boys back home. The game will be abandoned.
Also, Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun, legend Ahmed Musa, and striker Victor Osimhen have all shown support to the team while calling on the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to intervene and take necessary disciplinary actions against Libya.
Tags: Al Abraq, Al Abraq airport, Libya, Benghazi, Super Eagles, Nigeria, NFF, CAF, boycott, stranded, hostage, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnigeria, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #nrtcnews, #nrtcsports.
