The Nigerian national football team has decided to boycott their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya due to alleged “inhumane treatment” during their stay in the North African country.
The team was stranded at an abandoned airport in Libya for over 15 hours after their chartered flight landed on Sunday.
Despite attempts to intervene, the Nigerian embassy in Libya was unable to secure permission from the Libyan government.
The players expressed concerns about their safety, refusing to travel to the match venue by road.
Captain William Troost-Ekong stated that the team would not play the game and would not accept any risks to their safety.
The Nigerian Football Federation has formally lodged a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which is now investigating the incident.
CAF has expressed its “serious concern” over the matter and has been in contact with both Libyan and Nigerian authorities.
The Libyan football federation has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that they have treated the Nigerian team with the utmost respect.
However, the Nigerian team’s experiences have raised significant questions about the safety of visiting teams to Libya.
Former African footballer of the year Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the team to Libya, has called for strict sanctions against Libya and supported the decision to boycott the match.
He emphasized the risks involved in traveling to Libya and the team’s lack of safety during their stay.
The incident has highlighted the challenges faced by visiting teams in certain countries and the importance of ensuring their safety and well-being.
