Nigeria cancels 2025 Afcon fixture after 15-hour delay at Libyan airport
Nigeria have decided not to play Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier against Libya in Benghazi.
This comes after the Super Eagles spent nearly 15 hours stranded at Al Abraq International Airport, a facility that was “abandoned”, according to captain William Troost-Ekong.
Ekong would say:
“Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.”
He added.
“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 Nigeria crew members were 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.”
The West Africans’ plane was reportedly diverted from Benghazi as they were descending and eventually landed at Al Abraq, from where they were due to travel to Benghazi by road.
William Troost Ekong was not happy with how his team were treated in Libya.
Fearing for their safety and well-being after allegedly going nearly 15 hours without food or water, Troost-Ekong and his teammates decided to skip Tuesday’s match.
Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface also had his say:
“Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi and nowhere to sleep. Africans we can do better.”
Victor Boniface in action for Bayern Leverkusen.
What’s next for Nigeria?
It remains to be seen whether Nigeria will stick to their decision not to play Tuesday’s match or reverse their decision.
Furthermore, CAF has yet to react or take action on what happened in Libya.