Nigerian National Team Boycotts Match in Libya Amid Inhumane Treatment
The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has decided to boycott their qualifying match against Libya for the 2025 African Cup of Nations due to what they described as "inhuman treatment" during their stay in Libya. The team was stranded at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours after their chartered flight was diverted, leading to a lack of communication, food, and water. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has formally announced their decision not to play the match, citing the unacceptable conditions they faced.
Upon arrival, the Nigerian delegation was unable to communicate with the Nigerian embassy, which lacked the necessary permission from the Libyan government to assist them. Captain William Troost-Ekong expressed the team's frustration, stating, "We spent more than 12 hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was hijacked during descent. The Libyan government cancelled our authorized landing without any reason, leaving us without connection, food, or drink."
The team also refused to travel by road for over three hours to reach the match venue in Benina due to safety concerns. Troost-Ekong highlighted the dangers of traveling in Libya, stating, "Even with security, it is not safe at all. We cannot imagine what the hotel or food would be like if we continued."
The situation has drawn significant criticism, with former Nigerian player Victor Ikpeba calling for tough sanctions against Libya. He emphasized the need for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take action, suggesting that Libya should be banned from international football due to the high-risk environment. The NFF has filed an official complaint with CAF regarding the incident.
In light of these developments, the Nigerian team has been repatriated, and the match's status remains uncertain as CAF has yet to issue a final decision. The Super Eagles currently lead Group D with seven points, while Libya sits at the bottom with just one point.
