October 15 – African football has long been associated with different forms of chaos, however, being stranded at an airport is a new one as Nigeria are discovering, and it could lead to a forfeit before their AFCON 2025 qualifier versus Libya.
Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong wrote on X: “Twelve hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi for no reason. They (Libya) have locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.”
Troost-Ekong also alleged that the team was denied access to a hotel and had to call on the Nigerian government to rescue them, labelling the situation “disgraceful”.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has rejected the suggestion of “foul play or sabotage”. Nigeria currently top of Group D and are unbeaten, however, Libya sit bottom of the group and know that one more loss could see them eliminated from the competition.
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), said: “The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
Nigeria are scheduled to play Libya tonight in the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina.
Troost-Ekong added: “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 hotel to rest with his crew only 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.”
Interestingly, Libya captain, Faisal Al-Badri, claimed last week that before his side played the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, they were subjected to poor treatment on arrival in Nigeria.
The NFF rejected Al-Badri’s account and claimed that the LFF arranged its own transport while in Nigeria. The home side beat Libya 1-0 at the Godswill last Friday thanks to a late goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1735007565labto1735007565ofdlr1735007565owedi1735007565sni@o1735007565fni1735007565