Nigeria’s football team has been left stranded at an abandoned airport in Libya for more than 17 hours without food or drink, according to team captain William Troost-Ekong. The team was supposed to play a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya, but due to the alleged inhumane treatment they received upon arrival, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to fly them back home without playing the match.
The team’s chartered flight landed at Al Abraq International Airport on Sunday, and they were supposed to travel by road to the match venue in Benina. However, the team has refused to play the game due to safety concerns and the poor treatment they received. The NFF is now making arrangements to return the team to Nigeria.
Troost-Ekong described the team’s stay at the airport as disgraceful, with no phone connection, food, or drink provided to them. He also mentioned that the team’s aircraft was diverted while descending, and they were not given a reason for the change in landing location.
The NFF has lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Nigerian embassy in Libya reportedly cannot intervene without permission from the Libyan government. Former African footballer Victor Ikpeba, who was with the team, has called for stiff sanctions against Libya and supported the decision to boycott the match.
Nigeria currently leads Group D with seven points from three matches, while Libya is at the bottom of the standings with one point. The team’s decision to boycott the match has caused controversy, with concerns raised about the safety of the players and staff while in Libya.
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