Super Eagles and officials of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team have been held hostage for hours by Libyan authorities upon their arrival at Al Abaq Airport in Al Abaq.
Super Eagles’ media team posted a video on social media showing the players and officials with their luggage stranded at the airport.
This comes after the Super Eagles secured a lone-goal victory over the Mediterranean Knights in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital last Friday.
The Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday morning ahead of the second leg against Libya on Tuesday, October 15.
Initially scheduled to fly into Tripoli and travel by road to Benghazi, the team altered their plans to avoid unnecessary strain. Instead, they chartered a flight with a brief stopover in Kano before continuing to Benghazi.
Libya will host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi, but reports emerged that they were diverted to another 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.”
