The Super Eagles of Nigeria have decided to boycott their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, citing inhumane treatment by Libyan authorities. This decision was made after the Nigerian team, including players and officials, endured over 12 hours stranded at an abandoned airport in Al Abaq, Libya, under harsh conditions.
Super Eagles player William Troost-Ekong shared the team’s decision while describing their ordeal on his X platform (formerly Twitter), stating, “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.”
The Nigerian team had originally flown out for Tuesday’s AFCON 2025 qualifier, with a scheduled stopover in Kano before heading to Benghazi. However, their flight was diverted to Al Abaq, over two hours away from their intended destination.
Earlier on Sunday, a Libyan news medium, LibyaNewsToday, published a report of how the Nigerian delegation would be subjected to hell ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifier reverse fixture.
This diversion was compounded by further mistreatment, with the team and delegation held in the airport’s arrival hall for hours without access to basic necessities.
In a statement by the Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, it was revealed that Libyan officials had blocked every attempt to resolve the situation, despite prior approval for the Nigerian plane to land in Benghazi.
Troost-Ekong further criticised the actions of the Libyan authorities, highlighting the discrimination faced by the Nigerian crew, who were denied rest at nearby hotels. “Even the Tunisian pilot… had never seen something like this before,” he said, describing the entire situation as disgraceful.
“Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.”
Given the escalating circumstances, the team has called for urgent intervention from the Nigerian government and decided they would not play the scheduled match in Benina. “We will NOT play this game… CAF should look at the report and what is happening here,” Troost-Ekong declared, emphasising that the Super Eagles refuse to risk traveling by road in Libya due to safety concerns.
As of the time of reporting, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has not released an official statement. However, this boycott decision marks a significant turn in the Super Eagles’ AFCON campaign, with potential repercussions for both teams and the ongoing qualifiers.
The Super Eagles were set to face the Mediterranean Knights, who are currently at the bottom of their group, at the 10,000-capacity stadium in Benina. However, the match now remains in doubt, pending further action from CAF and Nigerian authorities.
Melissa Enoch
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