Team Stranded at Libyan Airport for Over 15 Hours, Captain Troost-Ekong Urges CAF Action
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has announced that the Nigerian team will not play their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 15. This decision comes after the players and coaching staff were stranded at Al Abraq Airport in Libya for over 15 hours without proper assistance.
In a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter), Troost-Ekong criticized the Libyan authorities for their treatment of the Nigerian delegation and called on the Nigerian government to step in and “rescue” the team from the difficult situation.
“As the captain together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game,” he wrote. Troost-Ekong further highlighted the unsafe conditions in Libya, stating that the team would not travel by road due to safety concerns and expressed doubts about the standard of accommodation and food they might receive if they proceeded.
Troost-Ekong also urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate the situation, emphasizing that these actions do not align with the spirit of international football. “CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, let them have the points,” he added.
The Super Eagles’ captain stressed that Nigeria treats its opponents with respect when they visit, and the team expects the same in return.
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