Nigeria’s gamers have arrived dwelling and are boycotting Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Libya after being stranded at an airport for over 12 hours.
The Tremendous Eagles gamers and employees flew out to Libya on Sunday night time however have been diverted to the Al Abraq Airport as a substitute of their authentic vacation spot of Benghazi Airport, which is over 200km and three and a half hours away from the place they have been staying.
The Nigerian Soccer Federation (NFF) claimed in a press release they have been caught on the Al Abraq Airport all through Sunday night time, with some gamers suggesting they have been left with out meals and water.
Nigeria have been as a result of play Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday night time, however the Tremendous Eagles have stated they’re planning to fly again dwelling as a substitute of enjoying the fixture.
“The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya,” the assertion learn.
“The chartered ValueJet plane was, unusually and in a harmful method, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi simply because the pilot was finishing his method to the Benghazi Airport. We perceive the Al Abraq Worldwide Airport is just used for hajj operations.
“Fatigued gamers and officers have remained nonplussed because the host Libyan Soccer Federation did not ship any reception crew and even autos to take the delegation members from the airport to their lodge, stated to be three hours away in Benghazi.
“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong, previously of Watford, tweeted: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.
“They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
“I’ve skilled stuff earlier than enjoying away in Africa however that is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who fortunately managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not match for our aircraft to land had by no means seen one thing like this earlier than.
“Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.
“At this level we now have referred to as for our Nigerian Authorities to intervene and rescue us. Because the captain along with the crew we now have determined that we’ll NOT play this sport. CAF ought to take a look at the report and what’s taking place right here.
“Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, 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.
“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they’re our friends in Nigeria. Errors occur however these items on goal don’t have anything to do with [international] soccer.”
‘There’s outrage in Nigeria’
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Cecilia Omorogbe provides the most recent on the scenario with the Nigeria nationwide soccer crew. The gamers and employees have been stranded within the airport for 15 hours earlier than they have been as a result of play Libya in an African Cup of Nations qualifier
Nigerian journalist Cecilia Omorogbe talking to Sky Sports activities Information from Lagos:
“According to what the Libyan Government and Football Federation tweeted, they said it is normal for flights to be diverted to actually land in another city. They are working as hard as they can for this game to go on.
“However the Nigerian squad are doing numerous diplomacy to ensure the gamers can return dwelling. They do not need the gamers to play the sport and are available dwelling efficiently. They’ve been left on the airport for greater than 15 hours and they don’t seem to be even positive when they are going to depart.
“We, in Nigeria, pray for the safety of the players. It’s not a kidnapping or a hostage situation but the fact they have been left unattended at the airport with no delegation to receive them and take them where they need to go, which is a three-hour journey.
“And we all know in Libya, with the conflict occurring there, it is not likely protected to go by roads or by bus to go throughout the town. There’s outrage in Nigeria, we’re all actually unhappy.
“Most Nigerians are standing behind the players telling them not to play the game. They are not in the frame of mind. The players need to be protected and be given assurances that the players will be safe and treated fairly. What has been going on in the last 15 hours, it doesn’t look like that.”
