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The Libyan men’s national team said they were mistreated in its 1-0 African Cup of Nations qualifier loss to Nigeria in Uyo (NGR) last Friday. On Monday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles had their charter flight diverted away from Benghazi, site of Tuesday’s AFCON qualifier and were stranded in a small airport. So, they decided to go home and forfeit the match!
A post on X from center-back and Nigerian team captain William Troost-Ekong on Sunday night included (shown as posted):
● “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.”
● “I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.”
● “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.”
The Nigerian team landed at Al Abraq International Airport on Sunday night, and would have had to take a three-hour bus ride to the match site in Benina, 19 km east of Benghazi.
Troost-Ekong posted some pictures of his teammates strewn about the airport waiting area, then followed up with more posts, including:
“UPDATE: Can I shock you?! the pilot has just told us there has been fuel at this airport for the plane all this time. They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine?! So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!! Still just waiting”
He posted a few hours later, “BACK HOME SAFE & SOUND.”
The Nigerian Football Federation posted a 20-point, play-by-play account of the trip, and filed a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) about the incident, with the Libyan federation denying any sabotage.
Nigeria is in good shape in Group D, with a 2-0-1 record (W-L-T) and seven points before Tuesday’s Libya match, and only two other games to go. Libya is sitting at 0-2-1 with one point, also with two matches to go after Tuesday.
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