Super Eagles boycott AFCON qualifier after 12-hour ordeal at Libyan Airport

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has announced the team’s decision to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.

The decision follows an ordeal where the Nigerian national team was held at a Libyan airport for more than 12 hours under harsh conditions. Troost-Ekong took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration over what he described as “disgraceful” treatment by the Libyan authorities.

The Nigerian team had traveled to Libya for the second leg of their AFCON qualifying series after securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

However, upon arriving in Libya on Sunday, their plane was unexpectedly diverted while descending, and they were left stranded at an abandoned airport, facing unacceptable conditions.

In a series of tweets posted early Monday morning, Troost-Ekong detailed the challenges the team encountered, painting a dire picture of the situation.

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The Super Eagles captain said the team was denied access to basic necessities, such as food, water, and phone connectivity, after their plane was diverted to a remote airport.

He added that the Libyan government had inexplicably revoked the team’s approved landing in Benghazi at the last minute, without offering any explanation.

Troost-Ekong also revealed that the Nigerian players and coaching staff were refused entry into hotels on the instruction of Libyan authorities.

The pilot, who managed to land the plane despite the sudden diversion, was allowed to rest, but the Nigerian team was left to fend for themselves at the airport.

“We’ve been stuck here for over 12 hours with no food or water, and we can’t even contact anyone. This is a deliberate attempt to play mind games, and it’s simply unacceptable,” Troost-Ekong tweeted. He described the situation as unlike anything he had ever experienced during his football career on the continent.

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The Super Eagles, frustrated and feeling unsafe, unanimously decided not to proceed with the match.

Troost-Ekong explained that the team had reached out to Nigerian government officials for assistance and that they would not risk traveling by road, citing concerns for their safety.

 “We have called for our government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game,” Troost-Ekong declared.

He further urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to launch an investigation into the incident, calling the behavior of the Libyan authorities “disgraceful” and “unsportsmanlike.” Troost-Ekong stated that if CAF chooses to award the points to Libya, so be it, but the safety and dignity of the Nigerian team were paramount.

“This kind of behavior should not be tolerated in international football. We always respect our opponents when they come to Nigeria, and we expect the same respect in return,” he added.

In response to the situation, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that plans were underway to fly the team back to Nigeria. “Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” a statement from the federation read.

The NFF expressed disappointment over the treatment of the Super Eagles and reiterated its support for the team’s decision to boycott the match.

Despite the gravity of the situation, CAF has yet to release an official statement or comment on the incident.

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Experts believe this could spark wider discussions within the football community about the safety and fair treatment of teams traveling across Africa for international competitions.

Sports analyst Dr. Akin Adesina weighed in on the controversy, criticizing the Libyan authorities for their poor handling of the Nigerian team’s arrival.

“What happened to the Super Eagles is a violation of the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. Holding a team at an airport for more than 12 hours without access to basic amenities is unacceptable at any level of competition,” Adesina said.

He also called on CAF to take decisive action to prevent similar occurrences in the future, noting that such treatment undermines the integrity of African football. “CAF needs to launch a full investigation and enforce penalties if necessary. These types of tactics should not have a place in the game,” Adesina added.