The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced that the Nigeria national football team will not be playing their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya after enduring alleged “inhumane treatment” in the host nation. The team, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, were left stranded at an abandoned airport in Libya for more than 17 hours without food or drink after their chartered flight landed on Sunday. Troost-Ekong shared on social media the team’s experience of sleeping on seats in the deserted airport lounge, with the gates locked and no access to phone connection.
According to the NFF spokesman, the players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and arrangements are being made to fly them back to Nigeria before the scheduled game against Libya on Tuesday. Troost-Ekong explained that the team will not make the three-hour bus ride from Al-Abraq to Benina for safety reasons, leading to their decision to boycott the match. The team’s aircraft had been diverted while descending, and the Libyan government reportedly rescinded their approved landing in Benghazi for no reason, causing further frustration for the players.
The situation led to a formal complaint being lodged with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by the NFF, while the Nigerian embassy in Libya was unable to intervene without permission from the Libyan government. Former African footballer of the year, Victor Ikpeba, who was with the team in Libya, has supported the decision to boycott the match and called for sanctions against Libya. Ikpeba emphasized the dangerous conditions the team had experienced, describing being locked up in an abandoned airport for over 10 hours like hostages.
Nigeria had previously defeated Libya 1-0 at home in Uyo, leading Group D with seven points from three matches, while Libya was at the bottom of the standings with one point. The Super Eagles captain, Troost-Ekong, expressed his disappointment in the treatment received in Libya, calling it disgraceful behavior. The team’s ordeal has sparked concerns about the safety and security of players and officials traveling to high-risk countries for international football matches. The call for sanctions against Libya and potential banning from international football competitions has gained momentum, highlighting the need for better protection and support for visiting teams in such challenging environments.
