Nigeria Boycotts AFCON 2025 Qualifier After Airport Incident in Libya

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has announced a boycott of their 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya following a highly controversial incident at a Libyan airport. Reports indicate that the players were left stranded overnight, a situation the team has described as "inhumane treatment." The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed concern over the event, but the issue has ignited tensions between both nations.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) claims that Libya’s highest authorities ordered the diversion of the Super Eagles' flight, leaving the players and staff in distress for hours without proper accommodation. This led to Nigeria’s decision to withdraw from the match, citing the lack of respect and safety for their players.

In response, Libya’s team has continued with their preparations for the game, asserting that their side is ready to play, regardless of Nigeria’s boycott. This incident has garnered international attention, with calls for CAF to address the situation swiftly. As the controversy continues, CAF has delisted the qualifier from the schedule, and it remains to be seen how this dispute will affect the broader tournament. Stay tuned as we continue to provide updates on this developing story