William Troost-Ekong, captain of the Super Eagles, has announced that the team will boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.
This decision comes in the wake of the team’s frustrating experience at the airport upon their arrival in Libya on Sunday, where they were held for over 12 hours.
In a series of tweets on Monday morning, Troost-Ekong expressed his disappointment over the “unfair treatment” the Nigerian team faced. He revealed that the Eagles were stranded at an abandoned airport after their plane was diverted during descent.
The players were left without phone connectivity, food, or drink for an extended period, which compounded their distress.
The Al-Kholood defender also stated that the Nigerian team was not permitted to enter any hotels due to “instructions from the Libyan authorities,” further exacerbating their uncomfortable situation.
Read the full statement below:
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.
“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.”
(TheCable)
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