The Super Eagles media team confirmed on Sunday night that players and officials of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team were held hostage by Libyan authorities upon their arrival at Al Abaq Airport.
In a video posted by the media team, the players and officials, along with their luggage, were stranded at the airport, while Libyan officials appeared indifferent and conversed in Arabic.
The Eagles had departed for Libya on Sunday morning ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights. Initially planning to fly into Tripoli and travel by road to Benghazi, they adjusted their plans to avoid extra strain, opting for a chartered flight with a brief stopover in Kano before continuing to Benghazi. Libya is set to host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium, just 10 kilometres from Benghazi, but reports revealed that the team was diverted to another city.
“About an hour to landing, the Nigerian aircraft, approaching Benghazi, was diverted to another city more than a two-hour drive from the original destination,” the media team reported.
Nigeria had earlier secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, courtesy of a late strike from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The second leg will take place on Tuesday, October 15, with the Eagles aiming to maintain their unbeaten run.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Cape Verdean referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine to officiate the match, alongside assistants Djêry Gomes Lopes and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson. Burkina Faso’s Hamidou Diero will be the fourth official, with Somalian Amir Abdi Hassan serving as match commissioner, and Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor. Algerian Rachid Medjiba will oversee the event’s security.
