Nigeria boycotts AFCON qualifying match against Libya over 'inhumane treatment'
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced that it will repatriate the national team on Monday following reports of "inhumane treatment" in Libya in connection with a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
"Players have decided to withdraw from the match as NFF officials are arranging for the team's return home," stated Ademola Olajire, the NFF's director of communications.
Additionally, Nigeria has lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Nigerian squad has been stranded at a deserted airport in Libya for over 15 hours since their chartered flight arrived on Sunday.
Reports indicate that the Nigerian embassy in Libya is unable to assist without prior approval from the Libyan authorities.
Captain William Troost-Ekong declared that the team will not participate in the match and will not undertake a three-hour bus journey from Al-Abraq to Benina, where the qualifier is set to occur on Tuesday, citing safety concerns.
"As the team captain, I, along with the team, have resolved that we will NOT play this game," he shared on social media.
"Let them take the points.
"We refuse to travel by road here; even with security, it is not safe. We can only speculate about the quality of accommodations and food we would receive if we proceeded."
Victor Ikpeba, a former African footballer of the year who accompanied the team to Libya, has called for severe penalties against Libya and endorsed the decision to boycott the match.
"If CAF is doing its job properly, Libya should be banned from international football," he remarked to AFP.
This country is classified as high-risk, raising questions about the decision to allow Libya to host their games domestically.
"I represented the Super Eagles for a decade, and I have never encountered anything like what I have experienced in Libya over the past few hours."
"The safety of the team is compromised, and those of us accompanying them are equally at risk," he remarked.
"We were confined in an abandoned airport for over ten hours, akin to hostages."
"The team will not be intimidated and will refuse to participate in this match."
Shortly thereafter, Troost-Ekong provided another update to his followers, indicating that fuel necessary for the plane was intentionally withheld to postpone their departure.
The Libyan Football Federation has "strongly denied" all allegations of misconduct, attributing the situation to a "misunderstanding."
In a statement on X, they clarified: "We categorically reject any assertions of foul play or sabotage in this matter. It is crucial to note that just last week, our national team encountered considerable difficulties upon arriving in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification."
Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory over Libya on Friday in the southern city of Uyo. With this win, Nigeria tops Group D, accumulating seven points from three matches, whereas Libya finds itself at the bottom of the standings with just one point.
SportsLigue