The Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria have been left stranded at Abraq Worldwide Airport in Libya, lower than forty-eight hours earlier than an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier towards the Mediterranean Knights, scheduled for Tuesday.
The Nigerian contingent had departed Uyo on Sunday morning for Libya.
Nevertheless, sports activities journalist Tobi Adepoju revealed in a submit on Sunday night time that the crew’s predicament started when the host nation made a last-minute diversion of their chartered flight.
He acknowledged that the federation had secured approval for the crew’s airplane to land in Benghazi, only a quick distance from the Benina Stadium, the place the match is ready to happen.
Nevertheless, mid-flight, the plane was diverted to Abraq Worldwide Airport, a a lot farther location.
“The settlement and approval the NFF obtained was for the chartered flight to land in Benghazi, however the airplane was unexpectedly diverted to Abraq,” Adepoju wrote.
To make issues worse, whereas the NFF’s transport preparations have been already in place in Benghazi, no buses have been offered by the Libyan Soccer Affiliation at Abraq to move the crew to their vacation spot.
In consequence, the crew’s contingent has been left stranded on the airport, with the gates locked, stopping them from leaving.
A video of the crew seated within the ready corridor of Abraq Airport has gone viral on social media.
One other video from NFF TV has additionally gained reputation, exhibiting a number of the Nigerian officers chatting with the airport authorities concerning the closed gate.
Nigeria leads Group D with seven factors after defeating Tuesday’s hosts 1–0 within the reverse fixture in Uyo on Saturday.
