The Nigerian football team’s decision to boycott their AFCON qualifier against Libya stemmed from a series of unsettling events. After their flight was diverted to Al Abraq Airport instead of Benghazi, the players and officials were stranded for over 12 hours without access to food, water, or proper communication. According to Captain William Troost-Ekong, the team had no reception at the airport, no transportation to their hotel, and were subjected to what he described as mind games. The team remained frustrated as their situation worsened. Even the Tunisian pilot who had been navigating the flight faced challenges, including a refusal from local authorities to provide accommodations for the Nigerian crew.
Nigerian officials stated that their chartered ValueJet plane was diverted under questionable circumstances just as it was approaching Benghazi. They claimed that Al Abraq Airport is primarily used for Hajj operations and not for commercial flights. Upon arrival, there was no reception from the Libyan Football Federation, no vehicles to transport the players, and the hotel was several hours away.
Amid growing concerns for their safety, Troost-Ekong revealed that the team did not feel secure enough to travel by road, even with security guarantees, as the situation appeared to be orchestrated. Fearing further complications, they called on the Nigerian government to intervene and bring them back. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) echoed these concerns, confirming that arrangements were being made to fly the team back home instead of playing the game.
The NFF is pushing for CAF (Confederation of African Football) to investigate the incident, highlighting that the events in Libya were a severe breach of protocol. Troost-Ekong emphasized that the team holds their dignity and safety in high regard, stressing that such behavior should not be tolerated in international football.
