On Monday, Nigeria’s soccer players announced they will not participate in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Libya after being stuck overnight at Al Abraq Airport. The team captain called this situation “mind games.”
Libyan authorities, however, denied any intent to sabotage the team.
The Super Eagles are set to play the second leg of the match on Tuesday. The first leg, which Nigeria won 1-0 on Friday, also involved similar claims of sabotage from the Libyan team.
Captain William Troost-Ekong explained that their flight was supposed to land at Benghazi Airport but was unexpectedly redirected to Al Abraq, which is about 220 kilometers (136 miles) away.
“The Libyan government canceled our approved landing in Benghazi without giving a reason,” Troost-Ekong said on X. “They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.”
“As the captain, along with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game,” he added.
The Libyan Football Federation expressed regret over the flight diversion and explained: “It is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel.”
Pictures shared online by the players showed some of them lying on airport seats with their luggage, and by Monday morning, some were seen asleep with no other passengers around.
Star striker Victor Osimhen, who is out due to a muscle injury, accused the Libyan soccer federation in an Instagram post of using “an intentional tactic to weaken and ruin the morale” of Nigeria’s players.
“It’s beginning to look more like a hostage situation,” he wrote, adding: “My brothers and coaches must return home safely. We are not criminals or prisoners.”
The Nigerian squad includes players like Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final last season and is on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, as well as Victor Boniface, a striker for German champion Bayer Leverkusen.
Premier League players Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Wilfred Ndidi were part of the Nigerian team that won 1-0 against Libya on Friday.
The Libyan team accused Nigeria of mistreatment before the first leg, but the Nigerian Football Federation denied these claims.
Libya’s captain, Faisal Al-Badri, said they were delayed for three hours as their bags were searched before they were driven to the city where the match took place.
“This is not the first time we have been maltreated in Africa … (and) we express the need for reciprocity,” Al-Badri said.
Nigeria’s sports minister, John Owan Enoh, stated that he has asked the soccer federation to file a formal complaint with the continent’s soccer body. “This must be on record and thoroughly addressed,” he added in a statement.
