Nigeria captain William Troost Ekong has suggested the Super Eagles will boycott the return leg of their 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier against Libya after being left stranded for over 12 hours at the airport upon arrival.
Nigeria won the first leg 1-0 last week in their backyard to go top of qualifying Group D with seven points, while Libya lies at the foot of the table with a single point.
The decision to boycott comes after their hosts refused to clear the Eagles at the Al Abaq airport, leaving them on the benches for hours.
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An NFF official Ademola Olajire has been quoted by the Guardian Nigeria as saying the hosting federation failed to send any reception team or vehicles to take delegates from the airport to their hotel, which is three hours from the city of Benghazi.
Olajire said despite the Nigerian Football Federation making alternative traveling plans in the country, they weren’t successful because of the diversion on their plane leaving players to decide to not continue with the fixture and make plans to return back home and/or to their clubs.
Meanwhile, players expressed their frustrations on their social media platforms with captain William Ekong slamming the mind games on his Instagram, saying that Libya can have the full points from this game as his team doesn’t even feel safe to continue anymore.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending,” he wrote on social media.
“Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games. Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew 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 this kind of behaviour, let 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 intl football.”
Meanwhile, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) dismissed claims of any malicious intent saying such inconveniences occur regularly, adding that they encountered challenges prior the first leg in Nigeria, however, did not make noise about it.
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” read an LFF statement.
“It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities.
“Football, in its essence, unites nations, and we are committed to upholding the spirit of fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field. Hosting these events is a great honor for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests. This commitment to equality and hospitality is a core aspect of our culture and tradition.
“We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill. Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football.”
The NFF is yet to confirm whether the Super Eagles will indeed boycott the game.
The match between Libya and Nigeria is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 (SAST) on Tuesday, 15 October.
