Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation and head of the organisation’s communication department, Dr. Ademola Olajire has sent  a report of the Super Eagles’ ordeal in Libya where they are held like ‘prisoners of war’.

Twelve hours after they were diverted to the Abraq Airport they are still being held up. There are indications that the hostility may even be heightened if the match is held on Tuesday.

That puts the lives of the players and other Nigerians at grave risk. For years, Libya had not been able to host any international match owing to the disorganisation in the country which is even reflected in their football association as their president, just days ago had to resign.

Olajire wrote about the happenings in Libya. Hear him: “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.

 “The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and dangerously, 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 three 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. Twelve hours of waiting at the Al Abraq Airport have taken their toll on the Nigerian players, who have unanimously resolved not to play the match against Libya

“Citing concerns over player health and well-being, the NFF is working on emergency plans to fly the team back to Nigeria as soon as possible.

Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match of Libya and Nigeria may not hold as the Libyan authorities still hold the Nigerian contingent to the match hostage.

As at the time of this report, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are still up at the  Al Abaq Airport in Libya where their flight was diverted to on Sunday night.

They were initially to land at Benghazi before the flight was diverted and the players and officials held hostage.

The players have remarked on their social media handles that they are not going to play the match.

CAF, the organisers of the games, have yet to make any comments. It was in a similar vein that the Moroccan club, RS Berkane were held up at the Algerian airport ahead of their scheduled 2023/24 Confederation Cup match with Algeria’s USM Alger.

CAF promptly intervened and made the Algerians to forfeit the match.

It was followed with a public statement: “CAF apologized for any inconvenience caused to their sponsors, TV partners and supporters”

At the time of this report, the Nigerian delegation has spent over 13 hours at the Libyan airport. It is further gathered that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is working on emergency plans to fly the team back to Nigeria as soon as possible.

 The Nigerian football body cited concerns over player health and well-being.

This means that Tuesday’s match may not hold. Besides, the Nigerian team will not have enough time to freshen up and mentally as well as physically prepare for the match.

 Libya, with just a point after three matches, have little to lose in Tuesday’s match as loss arithmetically knocks them out of contention.

But analysts believe they are up to a spoiler’s game. It is only recently that CAF permitted international matches to be held in Libya.

Ahead of Tuesday’s matchday 4 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duel with Libya, the Nigerian football team, Super Eagles are being maltreated at the Al Abaq Airport in Libya where their flight had been diverted to on Sunday night.

According to video clips sent by the team’s media unit, the players and officials were being held hostage by the Libyan immigration authorities.

The flight was originally to land at Benina International Airport, Benghazi which is 19 kilometres from Tuesday’s match venue.

It was reported that about an hour before landing, the Nigerian aircraft approaching its destination, Benghazi was diverted to another city more than a two-hour drive from the original destination.