In brief
After being left stranded at an airport overnight in Libya, Nigeria's national football team announced they would boycott their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Delayed en route to Benghazi, the Super Eagles were instead diverted to Al Abraq, far from their intended destination. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) reported being "completely abandoned," locked inside the airport without basic amenities. Captain William Troost-Ekong called for governmental intervention, expressing concerns over potential dangers in Libya. The Libyan Football Federation denied deliberate mischief, citing routine air traffic issues. The NFF stated similar grievances occurred previously in Nigeria but were refuted. The boycott continues as safety concerns rise amidst Libya's political instability.
Nigeria's national team, the Super Eagles, have decided to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match in Libya after being stranded at Al Abraq airport overnight. The team was initially scheduled to land in Benghazi but was diverted 230km away to Al Abraq, where they were left without food, Wi-Fi, or proper sleeping arrangements. A Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) official reported that the team was "completely abandoned" and locked inside the airport, prompting Captain William Troost-Ekong to demand government intervention. The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) expressed concern over the incident but dismissed claims of deliberate wrongdoing, attributing the flight diversion to routine protocols and logistical challenges. The Super Eagles are wary of traveling by road to Benghazi due to Libya's current security issues, as the country is politically divided between eastern and western administrations. The situation is further complicated by previous Libyan complaints of hostile treatment in Nigeria, which were denied by the NFF. As Nigeria leads Group D in the qualifiers, the boycott underscores the potential risks athletes face in politically unstable regions.
