Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong reveals team’s ordeal at abandoned airport in Libya
Nigeria’s football team is set to return home from Libya without playing their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match due to the alleged “inhumane treatment” they experienced in the host nation, as reported by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The team, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, has been stranded at an abandoned airport in Libya for more than 17 hours following their chartered flight’s arrival on Sunday.
The NFF is now working to transport the players back to Nigeria before their match against Libya, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday.
Speaking on the situation, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire stated, “The players have collectively decided not to proceed with the match as NFF officials arrange for their return home.”
Upon landing at Al Abraq International Airport on Sunday night, the team was originally scheduled to travel by road to the match venue in Benina, located south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
Troost-Ekong expressed concerns about the team’s safety and decision not to participate in the game, announcing, “We will NOT play this game,” citing the three-hour bus journey from Al-Abraq to Benina as a potential risk.
He further mentioned the diversion of their aircraft during descent and the airport gates being locked, leaving them without necessities like phone connection, food, or drinks, which he labeled as “mind games” played by the Libyan authorities.
Troost-Ekong took to social media to share images of his teammates trying to rest on airport seats in the deserted lounge while emphasizing the disturbing conditions they were subjected to.
12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted while descending. Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
The NFF has officially filed a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), seeking redress for the mistreatment suffered by the Nigerian team in Libya.
Unfortunately, the Nigerian embassy in Libya is reportedly powerless to assist without consent from the Libyan government, leaving the players and officials stranded in a distressing situation.
Accompanying the team on this ill-fated trip, former African footballer of the year Victor Ikpeba called for severe repercussions against Libya and endorsed the team’s decision to boycott the match.
Ikpeba remarked, “If CAF upholds its standards, Libya should face a ban from international football for their actions,” highlighting the unsafe conditions experienced by the players and their entourage.
Reflecting on his experience in Libya, Ikpeba expressed shock at the treatment received, stating, “I played for the Super Eagles for a decade, and never encountered such adversity until now.”
“The team is not safe, and those traveling with them are also at risk,” he added, recounting being confined in the airport for over 10 hours under unfavorable circumstances resembling those of hostages.
Earlier in the week, Nigeria triumphed over Libya with a 1-0 victory in Uyo, propelling them to the top of Group D with seven points from three matches, while Libya languishes at the bottom of the standings with just one point.
Conclusion:
In a bizarre turn of events, Nigeria’s national football team found themselves entangled in a harrowing ordeal at an abandoned airport in Libya, which ultimately led to the cancellation of their upcoming match. The deplorable treatment faced by the players and officials sparked outrage and disbelief, prompting calls for sanctions against Libya. As the team is safely escorted back home, the repercussions of this incident are sure to reverberate throughout the football community. Let this serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in the pursuit of their passion, and may justice prevail in the face of such injustices.
