Captain William Troost-Ekong says players were locked in with no food or drink as part of “mind games”
Nigeria‘s squad is considering a boycott of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations match against Libya after enduring a 12-hour ordeal at an airport.
The Super Eagles team landed at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya on Sunday evening, having been rerouted from their initial destination of Benghazi. This unexpected delay occurred ahead of their crucial AFCON qualifier scheduled for Tuesday.
The NFF has issued a statement detailing how the Nigerian football team was stranded at the airport all Sunday night. Captain William Troost-Ekong claimed they were left without food or drink.
Troost-Ekong shared on X on Monday morning that the squad was considering boycotting their match against Libya, whom they had beaten 1-0 at home in Uyo on Friday, thanks to a late goal from Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
“We’ve been stuck for over 12 hours in a deserted Libyan airport after our plane was diverted while landing. The Libyan government withdrew our approved landing in Benghazi without explanation,” wrote former Watford defender Troost-Ekong.
“They’ve shut the airport gates, leaving us without phone service, food or water. All to play mind games.
“I’ve faced challenges playing away in Africa before, but this is shameful. Even the Tunisian pilot, who thankfully managed to handle the last-minute change to an airport unsuitable for our plane, had never seen anything like this.”
“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 (Confederation of African Football) 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 int. football.”
A statement from the NFF read: “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.
“Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.
“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
