Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have announced their intention to boycott Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya and have returned home. The decision comes after the team was stranded for over 12 hours at an airport in Libya under what players describe as deplorable conditions.
The Nigerian team departed for Libya on Sunday night and was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq Airport, located more than 200 kilometres away from their intended destination, Benghazi Airport. According to a statement from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the team remained stranded at Al Abraq Airport throughout Sunday night, with players reporting a lack of food and water.
The NFF further noted that the Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or vehicles to transport the delegation to their hotel in Benghazi, a journey estimated to take three hours. Despite the NFF’s efforts to arrange separate transportation, these plans were derailed by the unexpected diversion.
William Troost-Ekong, a defender for the Super Eagles, took to social media to express his frustration with the situation. “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 Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason,” Troost-Ekong wrote. “They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink.”
Given these circumstances, the Super Eagles have resolved not to play the scheduled match. The team captain and other players have called for intervention from the Nigerian government. “At this point, we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us,” Troost-Ekong stated. “As the captain together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game.”
In a recent post on X by the team captain, the Super Eagles are now back on Nigerian soil.
“BACK HOME SAFE & SOUND,” Ekong posted. “Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken.”
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