The Nigerian delegation for Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier towards Libya stays stranded at Al Abraq Airport, 12 hours after their arrival.
The Director of Communications on the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, acknowledged on Monday morning that they perceive Al Abraq Worldwide Airport is usually used just for hajj operations.
In keeping with the assertion, the chartered ValueJet flight was unexpectedly diverted to the smaller airport because the pilot was approaching Benghazi.
The assertion continued: “Fatigued gamers and officers have remained nonplussed because the host Libyan Soccer Federation didn’t ship any reception staff or autos to move the delegation to their resort, reportedly three hours away in Benghazi.
“The NFF had organized separate autos for the staff, however this plan was disrupted by the plane’s diversion.
“Gamers have now resolved to not play the match, whereas NFF officers are planning to fly the staff again residence.”
The NFF additionally disclosed that efforts to safe lodging close to the airport had been unsuccessful, as native inns had been allegedly instructed to not settle for Nigerians.
The assertion added: “The NFF was ready to e book resort rooms for gamers and officers close to the airport, however all inns knowledgeable us that that they had been instructed to not welcome Nigerians.
“Our plane crew looked for resort rooms however obtained the identical response. Nevertheless, the captain was supplied a room as a result of he’s North African, however he declined and selected to stick with the crew and sleep within the plane.”
