In a shocking development, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced that the Super Eagles will boycott their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, citing inhumane treatment at an abandoned airport.
The Nigerian national team, including captain William Troost-Ekong and midfielder Fisayo Dele Bashiru, were stranded at Al-Abraq airport for more than 15 hours with no food, water, or proper communication.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of teams playing international football in high-risk countries like Libya.
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We have jokes in African football ⚽️
How can a whole team Nigeria Super Eagles be offered such vans to transport them in Libya ?Playing football ⚽️ In Africa is not easy @soka25east pic.twitter.com/myYVEaTh7o
— Collins Okinyo (@bedjosessien) October 14, 2024
Nigeria refuses to Play Amid Safety Concerns
The Nigerian team was en route to Benghazi for their AFCON Group D qualifier against Libya when their chartered flight was diverted to Al-Abraq, a remote airport roughly three hours from the scheduled match venue.
Upon arrival, the players were met with a nightmarish situation, held at the airport for hours without basic amenities, including food and water. The conditions were so dire that team captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media to declare that the team would not participate in the match.
“As the team captain together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game,” Troost-Ekong posted. “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.”
The NFF’s director of communications, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that the team is now being flown back to Nigeria, and a formal complaint has been lodged with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The safety of the players and coaching staff has been the primary concern, with Nigeria refusing to take any further risks in a high-risk country like Libya.
Former Star Victor Ikpeba Calls for Sanctions
Former African Footballer of the Year and Nigerian football legend Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the team to Libya, has also voiced his outrage over the situation.
He fully supports the team’s decision to boycott the game, calling for strong sanctions against Libya. “If CAF knows their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football,” Ikpeba told AFP.
“This is a high-risk country, and one really wonders who approved for Libya to be playing their games at home,” Ikpeba added. “The team is not safe, those of us traveling with them are also not safe. We were locked up in an abandoned airport for more than 10 hours like hostages. The team will call off their bluff and not play this match.”
Ikpeba’s comments reflect a broader concern about playing international football matches in countries with unstable political climates.
Libya has been dealing with ongoing internal conflict, raising questions about the security arrangements for hosting major sporting events like AFCON qualifiers.
— Joe Maluleke (@JoMaluleke) October 14, 2024
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CAF and Nigerian Authorities Must Act Swiftly
With Nigeria now officially boycotting the match, CAF is under pressure to take swift action. The Nigerian team’s treatment in Libya is not only an affront to the spirit of sportsmanship but also a serious violation of the rights of players and officials. The safety of all involved should be the top priority, and this incident highlights the need for stricter guidelines and security protocols when scheduling international matches.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has called on the Nigerian government to intervene and bring the team home safely. The players, who had already secured a 1-0 victory against Libya in their previous match on Friday, lead Group D with seven points from three games. Libya, on the other hand, sits at the bottom of the standings with just one point.
Despite this strong position, the Super Eagles have made it clear that no points are worth risking their lives. “Let them have the points,” Troost-Ekong stated, underscoring that Nigeria values the safety and well-being of its players above all else.
The Bigger Picture for African Football
This latest incident shines a spotlight on the broader issue of safety in African football. While the continent has made significant strides in growing its football profile globally, incidents like these threaten to tarnish its reputation. It is essential for governing bodies like CAF to take decisive action and ensure that teams are not subjected to such harsh conditions in the future.
Moreover, countries facing security challenges should not be allowed to host international matches until they can guarantee the safety of players, officials, and fans. Victor Ikpeba’s call for sanctions against Libya could set a precedent for how CAF handles high-risk countries in the future.
