Nigeria boycotts AFCON 2025 qualifier in Libya over ‘inhumane treatment’

Nigeria skipper William Troost-Ekong says his squad person been near astatine an abandoned airdrome successful Libya for much than 17 hours without nutrient oregon drink.

Nigeria’s shot squad volition beryllium flown backmost from Libya without playing their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying lucifer pursuing their alleged “inhumane treatment” successful the big nation, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said.

The squad person been held astatine an abandoned airdrome successful Libya for much than 17 hours since their chartered formation landed connected Sunday, according to Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong.

The NFF is present making arrangements to alert them backmost to Nigeria earlier their lucifer against Libya scheduled for Tuesday.

“The players person resolved not to play the lucifer immoderate longer arsenic NFF officials are making plans to alert the squad backmost home,” NFF spokesperson Ademola Olajire said connected Monday.

The squad landed astatine Al Abraq International Airport connected Sunday nighttime and were meant to question by roadworthy to the lucifer venue successful Benina, southbound of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

Troost-Ekong said the squad volition not play the crippled and they volition not marque a three-hour autobus thrust from Al-Abraq to Benina for information reasons.

“As the squad skipper unneurotic with the squad we person decided that we volition NOT play this game,” helium wrote successful a bid of societal media posts describing the team’s enactment astatine the airport.

“Let them person the points,” helium added, indicating that his squad whitethorn suffer points if the fixture is considered a forfeit by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Troost-Ekong said the team’s craft was diverted portion descending aft the Libyan authorities allegedly rescinded their approved landing successful Benghazi for “no reason”.

The Super Eagles skipper posted photos of his teammates sleeping connected seats successful the deserted airdrome lounge.

“They’ve locked the airdrome gates and near america without telephone connection, nutrient oregon portion – each to play caput games,” helium wrote.

“I person experienced worldly earlier playing distant successful Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour.”

12+ hours successful an abandoned airdrome successful Lybia aft our level was diverted whilst descending. Lybian authorities rescinded our approved landing successful Benghazi with nary reason. They’ve locked the airdrome gates and near america without telephone connection, nutrient oregon drink. All to play caput games.

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024

The NFF has lodged a ceremonial ailment with the CAF, the determination shot body.

The Nigerian embassy successful Libya reportedly cannot intervene due to the fact that it would request support to bash truthful from the Libyan government.

Former African footballer of the twelvemonth Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the squad to Libya, has urged stiff sanctions against Libya and supported the determination to boycott the match.

“If CAF cognize their job, Libya ought to beryllium banned from planetary football,” helium told the AFP quality agency.

“This is simply a high-risk country, and 1 truly wonders who approved for Libya to beryllium playing their games astatine home.

“I played for the Super Eagles for 10 years, and I ne'er experienced what I person successful Libya successful the past hours.”

“The squad are not safe. Those of america travelling with them are besides not safe,” helium added.

“We were locked up successful an abandoned airdrome for much than 10 hours similar hostages.”

On Friday, Nigeria bushed Libya 1-0 astatine location successful the confederate metropolis of Uyo.

They pb Group D with 7 points from 3 matches portion Libya are bottommost of the standings connected 1 point.

Source

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Al Jazeera and quality agencies