Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has condemned the treatment of the Nigerian national team after they were stranded for over 12 hours at Al Abraq Airport in Libya. The team, en route to Benghazi for their 2025 AFCON qualifier, was redirected to the abandoned airport without explanation.
In a series of tweets, Troost-Ekong called the situation "disgraceful" and accused Libyan authorities of playing "mind games." The team had no access to food, drink, or phone connections, while the airport gates were locked. He also revealed that the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected diversion, was denied hotel accommodation, forcing the Nigerian crew to sleep on the plane.
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Troost-Ekong declared the team’s decision not to play the match due to safety concerns and called for intervention from the Nigerian government. He questioned the safety of traveling by road in Libya and expressed doubts about their accommodations.
The Confederation of African Football has yet to comment on the situation.
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 Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024