Nigeria’s national football team has threatened to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya on Tuesday following a chaotic travel experience that left them stranded for hours at an airport far from their intended destination.
The Super Eagles, scheduled to play in Benghazi, found their charter flight diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, approximately 250 km (155 miles) away from the match venue. The Nigeria Football Federation reported that no alternative transport was offered upon arrival.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong expressed frustration on social media platform X, stating, “Once we landed, they’ve kept us in this abandoned airport for over 12 hours now without any provisions. I have experienced stuff before playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour.” He added, “As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game.”
Striker Victor Boniface echoed these sentiments, reporting being stuck at the airport for nearly 13 hours without food, WiFi, or sleeping accommodations. “Africa, we can do better,” Boniface remarked on X.
The Libyan Football Federation responded to the situation, insisting the incident was not deliberate and urging understanding from their Nigerian counterparts. They stated, “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill.”
Nigeria currently leads their qualification group with seven points from three games, following a 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo on Friday. The match in Benghazi could secure their place in the finals scheduled for Morocco late next year.
As the situation unfolds, the potential boycott raises questions about the organization of international football events in Africa and the treatment of visiting teams.
