The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced plans to bring the country’s national team back home on Monday after they were allegedly subjected to “inhumane treatment” in Libya ahead of their 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The team has been stranded at an abandoned airport in Libya for more than 15 hours since their chartered flight arrived on Sunday, with no help from the Nigerian embassy, which requires permission from the Libyan government to intervene.
The players, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, have decided not to proceed with the match, citing safety concerns and refusing to make a dangerous three-hour bus trip from Al-Abraq to Benina, where the game was scheduled for Tuesday. Troost-Ekong expressed the team’s decision on social media, stating, “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 if we continued.”
In response to the situation, the NFF has filed a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and former African footballer of the year, Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the team, has called for severe sanctions against Libya. Ikpeba expressed his shock at the conditions in Libya, saying, “If CAF know their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football. This is a high-risk country and one wonders who approved for Libya to host games at home.”
The Nigerian team had defeated Libya 1-0 in Uyo, Nigeria, just days before, leading Group D with seven points. Libya, in contrast, is at the bottom of the standings with just one point. Despite the stakes, the Nigerian squad is standing firm on their decision to boycott the match for their safety, with the NFF supporting the move to fly the team back.
Read Also: Spain Send Injured Lamine Yamal Home to Prioritise Health Ahead of Serbia Clash