AFCON 2025 QUALIFIER: Libyan Authorities Hold Eagles Hostage At Airport 

AFCON 2025 QUALIFIER: Libyan Authorities Hold Eagles Hostage At Airport 

The media team of the Super Eagles confirmed on Sunday night that the players and officials of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team faced difficulties upon their arrival at Al Abaq Airport in Libya.

They were reportedly held by Libyan authorities, as depicted in a video shared by the Eagles media team. The team, along with their belongings, found themselves stranded at the airport with little assistance from the local officials who seemed indifferent and were communicating in Arabic.

The Eagles had set off for Libya on Sunday morning for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.

Originally planning to land in Tripoli and then journey by road to Benghazi, the team adjusted their travel arrangements to charter a flight with a stopover in Kano before proceeding to Benghazi.

However, reports surfaced indicating that they were redirected to a different city.

“About an hour to landing, the Nigerian aircraft approaching its destination, Benghazi, was diverted to another city more than a two-hour drive from the original destination,” the Eagles media team said.

“Libya authorities hold Super Eagles and officials hostage at the Al Abaq airport in Al Abaq.”

Nigeria recently clinched a hard-earned 1-0 win over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, courtesy of a late goal by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

The return leg between the two teams is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, with the Eagles striving to continue their unbeaten streak.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine from Cape Verde as the match referee, assisted by Djêry Gomes Lopes and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson as referees.

Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso will serve as the fourth official, with Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia named as the match commissioner and Dramane Dante from Mali as the referee assessor.

The security arrangements for the event will be overseen by Algerian official Rachid Medjiba.