The South Sudan national football team, known as the Bright Stars, faced a frustrating setback ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Sudan. The team was left stranded for hours at Benina International Airport in Benghazi, Libya, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, due to logistical failures and unexpected immigration issues.
According to reports from the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), the squad was delayed for over three hours due to the absence of Sudanese Football Association officials, who were expected to receive them upon arrival. The situation took a turn for the worse when Libyan migration authorities seized the passports of South Sudan’s players and officials, leaving the team unable to proceed with their travel arrangements.
The SSFA took to their official X (formerly Twitter) account to share footage of the team stuck at the airport lounge, expressing frustration over the ordeal.
“A footage of Bright Stars stranded for a staggering three hours at Benina International Airport, Benghazi, Libya, when representatives of the Sudanese Football Association failed to turn up at their reception. The passports of the delegation were seized by the Libyan Migration Authority.”
The incident has raised concerns within the football community, as it echoes a similar ordeal faced by Nigeria’s Super Eagles in October 2024. Ahead of their AFCON qualifier, Nigeria’s national team was stranded for over 16 hours at Al-Abraq Airport in Libya, also due to logistical issues.
With another visiting team now facing difficulties, some are questioning whether these delays are simply administrative failures or deliberate tactics aimed at unsettling opponents ahead of crucial matches.
Despite the disruption, the Bright Stars remain focused on their World Cup qualifying campaign. However, the delay has undoubtedly impacted their schedule and match preparations.
As South Sudan continues its journey toward a potential first-ever World Cup appearance, the incident raises broader concerns about the treatment of visiting teams and the role of football authorities in ensuring fair play and smooth logistics for international fixtures.
