SUPER Eagles players have decided to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualification match against Libya
William Troost-Ekong, the team captain, says the team took the decision due to “unfair treatment”
The Nigerian team, already in Libya, is scheduled to play against the North Africans tomorrow at 8 pm Nigerian time.
Troost-Ekong in a series of tweets via his X.com Monday morning, expressed disappointment over the “unfair treatment” meted out to the Nigerian team in Libya.
He said the Eagles “have been held at an abandoned airport in Libya for over 12 hours” after their plane was diverted while descending. He said the players were left stranded without phone connection, food, or drink.
The Al-Kholood of Saudi Arabia defender also said the Nigerian team was not allowed to enter any hotels following “instructions from the Libyan authorities”.
Below is the full statement
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi for no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian pilot, who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land, had never seen something like this before.
“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew only 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.
“At this point, we have called for our Nigerian government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow it.
“This kind of behaviour lets them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued.
“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with int. football.
Eighteen-Eleven Media