AFCON: “We will NOT play this game” – Super Eagles captain

Super Eagles Captain, Mr. William Troost-Ekong has taken to his X account on Monday morning, to criticize the Libyan officials over “disgraceful” airport experience in the country, stating that the team will not play the game.

Mr. Troost-Ekong denounced the way the Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team was treated after they were delayed at Al Abaq Airport in Libya for more than 12 hours.

The team’s initial schedule was to arrive in Benghazi before their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

However, they were sent to Al Abaq, where they have been held without cause.

Troost-Ekong criticized Libyan officials over the airport experience.

He called the situation “disgraceful” and charged that the Libyan government was engaging in “mind games”.

He disclosed that the group is being housed in a deserted airport with no phone connections, food, or drink.

In the series of tweets read; “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending.

”The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.

“They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink; All to play mind games.

“I’ve experienced stuff before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour”, he wrote.

Troost-Ekong also stated the challenges experienced by the Tunisian pilot, who handled the last-minute destination change but was later denied lodging for his crew by the authorities.

While the pilot was permitted to rest at the airport, Nigerian crew members were forced to sleep on the plane since they were not permitted to remain at the airport.

“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 wrote.

“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction.

“He could sleep there, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed.

“They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked up,” Troost-Ekong added.

Citing safety concerns, the team chose not to play the scheduled match, according to the captain.

He urged the Nigerian government to step in and save the stranded team, saying, “We will NOT play this game”.

The captain questioned the safety of driving in Libya amidst the “disgraceful” airport experience.

He also voiced concerns about the standard of the food and lodging they would receive if the fixture should continue.

He said; “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.

“CAF should look at the report and what is happening here.

“Even if they decide to allow this kind of behavior, 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”.

He stated, “We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria.

“Mistakes happen, but these things on purpose have nothing to do with international football.”

The Super Eagles had originally traveled to Libya for the second leg, after winning the first leg of their AFCON qualification match against the Mediterranean Knights 1-0 in Uyo on Friday.

As the situation develops, the Confederation of African Football has not yet responded.

According to Punch Sports Extra, the Super Eagles media team verified on Sunday night that players and officials were taken hostage by Libyan authorities when they arrived at Al Abaq Airport.

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