After hours of frustration waiting at Al Abaq airport, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have reportedly finally been granted clearance to enter Libya.
What seemed like a routine procedure turned into a lengthy ordeal when a “system malfunction” disrupted entry protocols, forcing players and staff to remain at the airport for an extended period.
Although they’ve now passed the immigration hurdles, their troubles are not over yet.
The team was also forced to wait for transportation, as buses were yet to arrive, delaying the next leg of their journey—a three-hour drive to Benghazi, where they are to face Libya in Tuesday’s critical AFCON 2025 qualifier.
The Super Eagles, who are no strangers to challenging environments, certainly did not receive a warm reception upon arrival.
Libya strikes Super Eagles back after rough Uyo experience
The tension stems from Libya’s dissatisfaction with how their delegation was allegedly handled during their visit to Nigeria for the first leg, which was played on Friday.
The Libyan media claims their national team was treated poorly when they arrived for the first leg of the AFCON qualifier in Uyo, Nigeria.
Reports from the Libyan Observer say the Mediterranean Knights waited over three hours for transportation from Port Harcourt to Uyo
The 200-kilometre journey in uncomfortable conditions took its toll on the Libyan players and officials.
In response, it seems that Libya has taken this opportunity to reciprocate, subjecting Nigeria's national team to similarly unfavourable conditions. The Super Eagles’ flight, originally bound for Benghazi, was diverted to Al Abaq, forcing the team to endure additional travel hours by road.
Nigeria sits atop Group D with seven points, while Libya lags at the bottom, managing only one point so far.
With a 1-0 victory in the first leg, the Super Eagles will be eager to earn another win despite the obstacles placed in their way.
