By: Nana Kwame Bediako
The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, found themselves stranded at the Al Abraq airport in Libya.
The team, along with their officials, had been en route to Benghazi for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Libya on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. However, just an hour before their anticipated landing, their aircraft was redirected to Al Abraq, a city situated over two hours away from their intended destination. This unforeseen diversion left the team in a challenging situation, far from where they needed to be.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had meticulously planned for a smooth journey, with a chartered flight scheduled to land in Benghazi. This location was strategically chosen for its proximity to Benina, ensuring a short drive to their accommodations. However, the sudden change in flight plans disrupted these arrangements, leaving the team without immediate transportation upon arrival.
Journalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel reported that the NFF’s transport preparations were already in place in Benghazi, but no alternative arrangements were provided at Al Abraq by the Libyan Football Association.
The situation at Al Abraq airport quickly escalated as the Super Eagles found themselves stranded for over 12 + hours. Locked within the confines of the airport. The absence of buses or any form of transport further compounded their predicament. Adepoju Tobi Samuel highlighted the frustration of the NFF, who attempted to make alternative transport arrangements, only to face resistance as the airport gates remained closed.
Super Eagles defender and captain, Troost-Ekong, took to social media to share the team’s ordeal with the world. His tweet painted a stark picture of their experience, describing the airport as abandoned and the team as isolated without phone connections. He expressed his dismay at the Libyan government’s decision to rescind their approved landing in Benghazi without any explanation, suggesting that these actions were intended as psychological tactics ahead of their crucial match.
