The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has removed the highly-anticipated Group D second-leg fixture between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights from its schedule.
This decision comes after the Super Eagles’ harrowing experience at the Libya airport, where they were stranded for over 14 hours.
The Nigerian team had traveled to Libya for the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier, following their 1-0 victory in the first leg at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
However, their journey took a dramatic turn when their chartered flight was diverted to Al Abraq Airport, more than two hours away from their intended destination.
The lack of basic amenities like food, water, and phone connections for the players and officials sparked widespread outrage.
In response, the Super Eagles announced their decision to withdraw from the match and return home.
CAF has since launched an investigation into the incident, condemning the treatment of the Nigerian team as “disturbing and unacceptable.”
The Libyan Football Federation has denied any intentional wrongdoing, citing standard air traffic control protocols and logistical challenges.
The controversy has cast a shadow over the qualifying match, with CAF updating its schedule to exclude the Libya-Nigeria game.
Nigeria currently leads Group D with seven points, while Libya remains at the bottom with just one point from three matches.
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