The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has pointed fingers at Nigeria for the postponement of their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, following a dramatic series of events that saw Nigeria’s Super Eagles refuse to play. The Nigerian national team cited mistreatment upon arrival in Libya as the main reason for their decision.
According to reports from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the Super Eagles endured a harrowing 16-hour ordeal after their plane was diverted to an airport approximately 220 kilometers from Benghazi, where the match was set to be held. The Nigerian players and officials claimed they were kept locked inside the airport without access to food or water, and without communication from Libyan officials. Given the unstable security situation in Libya, team captain William Troost-Ekong said the team would not risk a three-hour bus journey to Benghazi and ultimately chose to fly back to Nigeria.
Troost-Ekong expressed frustration with the handling of the situation, accusing Libyan authorities of engaging in “mind games” and raising concerns about the safety and well-being of the players. “It’s unacceptable to be treated this way, especially when representing your country on the international stage,” the Super Eagles captain said, emphasizing that player safety should be prioritized above all else.
In response, the LFF rejected all accusations of deliberate mistreatment, urging Nigeria to be more understanding of the logistical challenges that occurred. The LFF issued a statement denying any foul play, stating: “There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.”
The Libyan footballing body also pointed out that their own players had faced travel difficulties ahead of their previous fixture in Nigeria. The Libyan squad had arrived hours away from Uyo, the venue for their match against the Super Eagles, enduring long travel delays before ultimately losing 1-0.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been closely monitoring the situation and confirmed that it is investigating the matter. In a statement, CAF noted that it had been informed of the distressing conditions faced by the Nigerian team and was in contact with both Libyan and Nigerian authorities. The confederation has referred the issue to its disciplinary board to determine the next course of action.
Meanwhile, former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, who was with the Nigerian team in Libya, called for severe sanctions against the North African country. “If CAF knows its job, Libya ought to be banned from international football,” Ikpeba said, expressing solidarity with the Nigerian team’s decision to boycott the match.
Despite the disruption, the Super Eagles remain confident in their campaign to qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco. Troost-Ekong, reflecting on the ordeal, said that the experience had only strengthened the team’s resolve. “Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome,” he tweeted after the team’s return to Nigeria. “I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this. It’s an experience that has brought us even closer together.”
With Nigeria leading their AFCON qualifying group on seven points, the team remains in a strong position to secure a spot in next year’s tournament, despite the recent setback. As CAF continues its investigation, the football world waits to see if any punitive measures will be taken against Libya, or if the fixture will be rescheduled.
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