The Super Eagles of Nigeria have forfeited the match between Nigeria and Libya, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), on Monday.
The Federation cited poor reception and abandonment as its reasons for boycotting the match, stating that the players were no longer interested in playing the game.
Recall that both teams battled it out on Friday in Uyo in a bid to gain three points which will solidify their qualifications to play in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat the Knights of Libya 1:0 and clinched the three points that have kept them in the lead in their group.
Both teams are supposed to have a return leg of the match in Libya on Tuesday.
The NFF, however, disclosed that 12 hours after landing in Libya, the Super Eagles are still stranded at the Al Abraq Airport without food or any form of reception.
The Federation stated that the Super Eagles aircraft was diverted from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.
It stated that the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, which was three hours away in Benghazi.
The Federation further noted that it is making plans to fly the players back home as they have resolved not to play the match.
The statement reads, “Super Eagles still at Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya!
“The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.
“Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.
“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
One of the Super Eagles players and top striker, Victor Boniface, also took to his X handle to lament the treatment of the Super Eagles players by the Libyan Football Federation.
He stated, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep. Africans we can do better.”
The first leg of the match which was played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo was a frustrating one for the Super Eagles as the Libyan team employed lots of time-wasting antics, but however, ended in favour of the Super Eagles as Dele Bashiru, one of the midfielders, scored in the 86th minute, giving Nigeria the lead.
https://twitter.com/BrunoOnyemaechi/status/1844843314333556911
