William Troost-Ekong, the vice captain of the Super Eagles, has declared that his team would not play against Libya.
Recall that twelve hours after arriving in Libya, the Nigerian delegation to the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers vs Libya stayed at the Al Abraq Airport.
Ekong claims that “our plane got diverted while descending, leaving us stuck in an abandoned airport in Libya for more than 12 hours.”
“Without any justification, the Libyan government cancelled our authorised landing in Benghazi.
“We were left without food, drink, or a phone connection when they sealed the airport gates. all in an attempt to trick the mind.
“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.
“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.
