AFCON 2025Q: Super Eagles Boycott Libya Clash – Troost-Ekong
Nigeria Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, has declared that the team will not honour their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday four encounter against Libya.
The players and their officials are still holed up at the Al Abaq Airport 13 hours after arriving Libya.
Their plane was diverted to Al Abaq on Friday by Libyan authorities and the contingent denied access to hotel accommodation.
Captain of the team, Troost-Ekong took to the social on Monday morning to condemn the action of the Libyan authorities just as the centre-back also vowed that the team would not honour the game.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games,” he wrote on X.
“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,” he stressed.
