Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong said on Monday that the team has decided to boycott the second leg 2025 AFCON qualifying match against Libya due to the way they have been treated.
After defeating the Mediterranean Knights of Libya 1-0 last Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, the Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday morning ahead of the second leg on Tuesday, October 15.
However, since they arrived in Libya they have been held hostage at Al Abaq Airport.
The Super Eagles said they were left without food, drink and internet access.
Troost-Ekong shared photos of his tired teammates on social media, describing the way they have been treated as disgraceful.
“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 Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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,” he wrote.
“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 would be like given to us IF we continued.”
