The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the national football team will return home without playing their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. The decision follows what has been described as “inhumane treatment” upon their arrival in Libya.
Nigeria’s team, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, has been stranded at an abandoned airport in Libya for over 17 hours after their chartered flight landed on Sunday, October 13.
According to Troost-Ekong, the team was forced to stay at the Al Abraq International Airport after the Libyan government allegedly revoked their permission to land in Benghazi without explanation. As a result, their flight was diverted.
The team, which was expected to travel by road to Benina, a city south of Tripoli, decided against continuing the journey due to safety concerns. The bus ride would have taken three hours. Troost-Ekong, in a series of social media posts, stated that the players had resolved not to play the match.
He shared photos of his teammates sleeping on airport chairs, describing their treatment as “disgraceful” and adding that they were left without food, drink, or phone connection while being locked inside the airport.
Troost-Ekong emphasized that the team’s decision was based on the unacceptable conditions they had faced. “Let them have the points,” he said, suggesting the match might be forfeited to Libya.
The NFF is now organizing their return, with spokesman Ademola Olajire confirming that the players would not participate in Tuesday’s fixture. A formal complaint has been filed with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Nigerian embassy in Libya is reportedly unable to intervene due to a lack of authorization from the Libyan government.
Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the team, called for severe sanctions against Libya, expressing concern over the decision to allow matches in such a “high-risk country.”
Nigeria currently tops Group D with seven points from three matches, having recently defeated Libya 1-0 in Uyo. Libya, in contrast, is at the bottom of the group with one point.
