Nigeria has withdrawn from their upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya following claims of being stranded at an airport in Libya for 12 hours without food or drink. The Super Eagles were set to play Libya in the qualifier but decided not to proceed with the match after their flight was diverted to a smaller airport, leaving them stuck for hours.
The Nigeria squad, which includes Premier League players such as Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest, and Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey from Fulham, was supposed to land in Benghazi. However, their plane was diverted to Al Abraq airport, located about two hours away from their intended destination.
Players took to social media to highlight that Libyan authorities did not provide transportation, there was a lack of food and drink, and the airport gate was locked, leaving them stranded. This incident comes after Libyan players alleged mistreatment in Nigeria before the Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory over the weekend. The Nigerian Football Federation denied these claims but has since announced the boycott of Tuesday’s match.
In a statement, the NFF expressed the delegation’s frustration at being left at Al Abraq Airport without assistance or transport to their hotel in Benghazi. The NFF arranged separate vehicles for the team, but the aircraft diversion disrupted the plans. Consequently, the players have decided not to participate in the match, and arrangements are being made to fly them back home.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong detailed the ordeal faced by the squad, citing being stranded in an abandoned airport in Libya with no communication, food, or drink. The team called for Nigerian Government intervention and declared their refusal to play the game due to the unacceptable treatment. Troost-Ekong emphasised the need for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate the situation and stressed that the players prioritise their safety and well-being.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns over the treatment of players during international fixtures. Nigeria’s decision to boycott the match sends a strong message about the importance of respecting players’ welfare and safety in football competitions.