Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has said the team will not honour their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match encounter against Libya after the team was left stranded .
The players and their officials are still holed up at the Al Abaq Airport 13 hours after landing in Libya.
Their plane was diverted to Al Abaq on Sunday by Libyan authorities.
The contingent was also denied access to hotel accommodation.
Troost-Ekong took to the social on Monday morning and condemned the action of Libyan authorities after a Nigerian in Libya provided him with mobile access.
The centre-back player also vowed that the team would not honour the game.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst 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 Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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,” he wrote on X.
I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot, who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land, had never seen something like this before.
“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 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 that they would be given to us will be like if we continued.
“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they were our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen, but these things on purpose have nothing to do with international football.” [Prompt Sports News]
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar says his office is closely monitoring the situation concerning the hostile treatment meted out to the country’s national football team, Super Eagles in Libya.
On it part, the Nigeria Football Federation earlier announced it plan to evacuate Super Eagles players and officials from the North African country
The team had been stranded for over 13 hours in Al Abaq Airport Libya after the host country’s government disrupted their travel plans and diverted their flight from Benghazi Airport . The return match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Reacting to the treatment in a statement issued on his verified X page on Monday, the minister said the head of Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Amb. Stephen Anthony Awuru, had been directed to attend to the immediate needs of the stranded players and coaches.
The minister wrote: “I have been closely monitoring the situation involving the Super Eagles in Libya. Through the Head of Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Amb. Stephen Anthony Awuru, the Mission has maintained contact with the NFF, and the Libyan authorities since last night.
“Despite efforts, Libyan authorities have not yet authorized the Nigerian Mission’s trip to Bayda City, where the airport is located.”
“In the meantime, the Head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi, Mr. Morris Eromosele, arrived at the location at 6 am this morning with necessary supplies and internet access. We will continue to follow developments and await a report for further action,” he added.