Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has spoken out about the “horrible ordeal” the Nigerian national football team endured in Libya, where they were stranded for nearly 20 hours at an abandoned airport ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.
The Nigerian contingent, including players and officials, were left without access to water and food, more than two hours’ drive from the venue of their scheduled match.
The team ultimately withdrew from the game and returned to Nigeria on Monday evening.
Upon their arrival in Nigeria, Eguavoen expressed his frustration with the Libyan authorities’ treatment of the team.
“Thanks to the Libyans for letting us go, but it was a horrible 18-20 hours of experience and we don’t want to go through that again,” said Eguavoen.
The Super Eagles coach described how the team was effectively held hostage at the airport and explained that the dire conditions made it impossible for them to compete in the match.
“We were held hostage, we could not have played this match under these circumstances,” Eguavoen said. “We know how football can unite the entire world, but in this regard, for them to act like this, I cannot comprehend seriously.”
