Super Eagles captain, William Troost Ekong says the team will not play the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya after they were left stranded for over 13 hours at the Al-Abraq airport two hours away from Benghazi.
The Super Eagles and its officials were not allowed entry into the country by the Libyan authorities immediately they landed at the airport on Sunday evening.
The Nigerian contingent were initially meant to land at the Benghazi airport but were diverted to Al-Abraq airport an less than an hour before landing.
After suffering terrible conditions at the Al-Abraq airport with no food, WiFi and security, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, says the team has decided not to honour the match.
Troost-Ekong put out a lengthy statement on the treatment the team received form from the Libyan authorities via his X page.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.”
“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.”
“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.”
The Super Eagles are billed to take on Libya tomorrow in the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier tomorrow near Benghazi.
