“We’ve Agreed Not To Play Against Libya” – Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong

William Troost-Ekong, captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has announced that the team has decided to boycott their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.

This comes after Nigeria’s 1-0 win against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo last Friday. The return leg was scheduled to take place in Libya on October 15.

However, after arriving in Libya on Sunday, the Super Eagles team has been stranded at the airport, a situation that remains unresolved.

In a series of tweets on Monday, William Troost-Ekong expressed his frustration over the “unfair treatment” the Nigerian team has received since their arrival in Libya.

The Super Eagles Captain described the situation as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the team’s preparation.

He highlighted the challenges the team is facing and the potential risk to their safety, announcing their decision to boycott the match against Libya on Tuesday.

The statement reads, “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 Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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 experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. 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.

“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 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 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 are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with int. football.”

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.

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024

KanyiDaily had reported how Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 1-0 win against Libya in Oyo, Akwa Ibom State, in their AFCON 2025 qualifier on Friday evening.