Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong says his workforce have been left at an deserted airport in Libya for greater than 17 hours with out meals or drink.
Nigeria’s soccer workforce might be flown again from Libya with out taking part in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match following their alleged “inhumane remedy” within the host nation, the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) has stated.
The workforce have been held at an deserted airport in Libya for greater than 17 hours since their chartered flight landed on Sunday, based on Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong.
The NFF is now making preparations to fly them again to Nigeria earlier than their match in opposition to Libya scheduled for Tuesday.
“The gamers have resolved to not play the match any longer as NFF officers are planning to fly the workforce again residence,” NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire stated on Monday.
The workforce landed at Al Abraq Worldwide Airport on Sunday evening and had been meant to journey by highway to the match venue in Benina, south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
Troost-Ekong stated the workforce is not going to play the sport and they won’t make a three-hour bus trip from Al-Abraq to Benina for security causes.
“Because the workforce captain along with the workforce we have now determined that we are going to NOT play this recreation,” he wrote in a sequence of social media posts describing the workforce’s keep on the airport.
“Allow them to have the factors,” he added, indicating that his workforce could lose factors if the fixture is taken into account a forfeit by the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF).
Troost-Ekong stated the workforce’s plane was diverted whereas descending after the Libyan authorities allegedly rescinded their authorised touchdown in Benghazi for “no motive”.
The Tremendous Eagles captain posted pictures of his teammates sleeping on seats within the abandoned airport lounge.
“They’ve locked the airport gates and left us with out telephone connection, meals or drink – all to play thoughts video games,” he wrote.
“I’ve skilled stuff earlier than taking part in away in Africa however that is disgraceful behaviour.”
12+ hours in an deserted airport in Lybia after our aircraft was diverted while descending. Lybian authorities rescinded our authorised touchdown in Benghazi with no motive. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us with out telephone connection, meals or drink. All to play thoughts video games.
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
The NFF has lodged a proper criticism with the CAF, the regional soccer physique.
The Nigerian embassy in Libya reportedly can’t intervene as a result of it might want permission to take action from the Libyan authorities.
Former African footballer of the 12 months Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the workforce to Libya, has urged stiff sanctions in opposition to Libya and supported the choice to boycott the match.
“If CAF know their job, Libya must be banned from worldwide soccer,” he instructed the AFP information company.
“This can be a high-risk nation, and one actually wonders who authorised for Libya to be taking part in their video games at residence.
“I performed for the Tremendous Eagles for 10 years, and I by no means skilled what I’ve in Libya within the final hours.”
“The workforce should not protected. These of us travelling with them are additionally not protected,” he added.
“We had been locked up in an deserted airport for greater than 10 hours like hostages.”
On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 at residence within the southern metropolis of Uyo.
They lead Group D with seven factors from three matches whereas Libya are backside of the standings on one level.
