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AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles may boycott Libya Game

The Super Eagles of Nigeria may boycott the second game against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights over security concerns and poor treatment by the host on arrival in the North African country on Sunday.

The aircraft carrying the Nigerian contingent was reportedly stranded for over 12 hours at the Al-Abraq airport since arrival on Sunday afternoon.

The Nigerian contingent were reportedly refused assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which didn’t make any arrangement for transportation.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, stated that it had made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the NFF stated.

In the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers match played in Uyo on Friday, Nigeria won by a lone goal.

Another win against Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday will all but guarantee the Super Eagles’ passage to Morocco 2025 AFCON.

In a post on X on Monday, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong said the Nigerian team was abandoned d by their Libyan hosts at the airport.

“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 Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.

“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.”

Calling on the Nigeria government to intervene in the impasse amd ‘rescue’ the team, Troost-Ekong added that, “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.

“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 international football.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to respond to the issue.

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