The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, along with their officials, were held up for over 14 hours at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya. The unexpected delay left players and team staff stranded, unable to return home after their match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Fortunately, the standoff was resolved when the Libyan government finally cleared the flight following intense pressure from multiple sources.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to fly back to Nigeria on a ValueJet Airline after their AFCON qualifying game. However, upon arriving at Al Abraq Airport, the flight encountered a major setback. The Libyan authorities initially refused to grant the necessary clearance for the flight to depart. Reports indicated that the aircraft was denied permission to take off, leaving the Nigerian team stuck in Libya without a clear explanation.
The situation worsened when it was discovered that the aircraft also lacked sufficient aviation fuel. Without permission to fly and a shortage of fuel, the team’s chances of a quick return home seemed slim.
The breakthrough came after hours of pressure from various sources, including Nigerian officials and international bodies. The Libyan government finally relented, allowing the ValueJet Airline to refuel and proceed with its flight plan. Popular sports journalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel, also known as OgaNlaMedia, was one of the first to report the update. He confirmed that after significant negotiations, the Libyan authorities had granted clearance for the Super Eagles’ flight to take off and sell aviation fuel to the airline.
Initially, the Libyan authorities made the situation even more complicated by proposing an alternative route. They suggested the plane first land in Benghazi, a city that had been quite busy and potentially unsafe the previous day, before continuing to Nigeria. However, this idea was quickly rejected by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The NFF insisted that the Super Eagles should be allowed to fly directly from Al Abraq Airport to Nigeria without making any unnecessary stops.
OgaNlaMedia’s report highlighted this tense moment, stating: “They came with a gimmick to issue a pre-clearance to land in Benghazi first before we fly to Nigeria. The same Benghazi that was busy yesterday.” This raised concerns for the team’s safety, leading to more intense negotiations.
The NFF stood firm throughout the ordeal. Their unwavering position was that the team should not be subjected to unnecessary risks or delays, particularly in a country with a fragile security situation like Libya. Thanks to their persistence and pressure from other quarters, the Libyan authorities eventually agreed to issue a direct clearance, allowing the team to fly straight back to Nigeria without any stops in Benghazi or elsewhere.
End of a Tense Standoff
With the clearance finally granted, the Super Eagles were able to leave Al Abraq International Airport and head back home safely. The tense 14-hour standoff ended peacefully, much to the relief of the players, team officials, and fans back in Nigeria who had been following the developments closely.
This incident underscores the complexities involved in international travel for sports teams, especially in regions facing political or security challenges. It also highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving such issues, ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes and officials.
Now that the Super Eagles are safely en route back to Nigeria, their focus will return to preparing for the next stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. While this delay was certainly an unwanted distraction, the team can now move forward with their eyes firmly set on the road ahead.
The Nigerian Football Federation has been praised for its handling of the situation, ensuring that the players’ safety and comfort remained a top priority. As the Super Eagles return home, fans will be relieved to have their team back and eager to see them continue their journey toward AFCON glory.
