Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong says his crew have been left at an deserted airport in Libya for greater than 17 hours with out meals or drink.
Nigeria’s soccer crew will probably be flown again from Libya with out enjoying their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match following their alleged “inhumane remedy” within the host nation, the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) has mentioned.
The crew have been held at an deserted airport in Libya for greater than 17 hours since their chartered flight landed on Sunday, in keeping with Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong.
The NFF is now making preparations to fly them again to Nigeria earlier than their match towards Libya scheduled for Tuesday.
“The gamers have resolved to not play the match any longer as NFF officers are planning to fly the crew again house,” NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire mentioned on Monday.
The crew landed at Al Abraq Worldwide Airport on Sunday night time and have been meant to journey by highway to the match venue in Benina, south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
Troost-Ekong mentioned the crew is not going to play the sport and they won’t make a three-hour bus experience from Al-Abraq to Benina for security causes.
“Because the crew captain along with the crew we’ve determined that we are going to NOT play this sport,” he wrote in a sequence of social media posts describing the crew’s keep on the airport.
“Allow them to have the factors,” he added, indicating that his crew could lose factors if the fixture is taken into account a forfeit by the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF).
Troost-Ekong mentioned the crew’s plane was diverted whereas descending after the Libyan authorities allegedly rescinded their accredited touchdown in Benghazi for “no motive”.
The Tremendous Eagles captain posted photographs of his teammates sleeping on seats within the abandoned airport lounge.
“They’ve locked the airport gates and left us with out cellphone connection, meals or drink – all to play thoughts video games,” he wrote.
“I’ve skilled stuff earlier than enjoying away in Africa however that is disgraceful behaviour.”
12+ hours in an deserted airport in Lybia after our airplane was diverted while descending. Lybian authorities rescinded our accredited touchdown in Benghazi with no motive. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us with out cellphone connection, meals or drink. All to play thoughts video games.
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
The NFF has lodged a proper grievance with the CAF, the regional soccer physique.
The Nigerian embassy in Libya reportedly can’t intervene as a result of it might want permission to take action from the Libyan authorities.
Former African footballer of the 12 months Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the crew to Libya, has urged stiff sanctions towards Libya and supported the choice to boycott the match.
“If CAF know their job, Libya must be banned from worldwide soccer,” he instructed the AFP information company.
“It is a high-risk nation, and one actually wonders who accredited for Libya to be enjoying their video games at house.
“I performed for the Tremendous Eagles for 10 years, and I by no means skilled what I’ve in Libya within the final hours.”
“The crew aren’t secure. These of us travelling with them are additionally not secure,” he added.
“We have been locked up in an deserted airport for greater than 10 hours like hostages.”
On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 at house within the southern metropolis of Uyo.
They lead Group D with seven factors from three matches whereas Libya are backside of the standings on one level.
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