The Super Eagles arrived back in Nigeria on Monday evening after enduring a 15-hour ordeal at Al Abraq Airport in Libya. The team had traveled for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match slated for Tuesday.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, confirmed the team’s arrival in Kano, expressing the relief felt after the exhausting experience. “We have finally returned to Nigeria, just landed in Kano,” Efoghe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The players and officials had been left stranded at Al Abraq Airport without food, water, or other basic supplies. The ValueJet chartered aircraft transporting the team was diverted from its original destination at Benghazi Airport, causing the significant delay.
Despite the hardship, Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong took to his X handle to express pride in the team’s resilience. “Back home safe and sound. Proud of this team, Naija Spirit can’t be broken. Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome,” he said.
Victor Boniface, Bayer Leverkusen’s forward, also confirmed the team’s return via his X handle.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since launched an investigation into the disturbing treatment of the Nigerian team. CAF stated it is in contact with both Libyan and Nigerian authorities to address the incident and ensure it is resolved appropriately.
