Nigeria’s Super Eagles boycott Libya match over ‘mind games’

The Nigerian men’s soccer team has pulled out of its Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya in protest at being abandoned at an airport after their plane was

Nigeria’s Super Eagles boycott Libya match over ‘mind games’
The Nigerian men’s soccer team has pulled out of its Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya in protest at being abandoned at an airport after their plane was diverted,according to DW.

William Troost Ekong of Nigeria reacts instructs teammates during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Final match between Nigeria and Cote dIvoire
Captain William Troost-Ekong said the team will not play the game

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday said they would fly the country’s men’s team home without playing a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after alleged poor treatment.

The “Super Eagles” squad complained that they had been held at an abandoned airport for more than 15 hours, days after Libya’s captain complained that his team had been treated poorly when it played in Nigeria.

They had been due to play hosts Libya in the city of Benghazi, where they hoped to wrap up qualification for a place in the finals in Morocco late next year.

Their plane was diverted at the last minute to Al Abraq airport, some 220 kilometers (about 135 miles) away.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” said NFF director of communications, Ademola Olajire.

Captain William Troost-Ekong said the team could not play the game and they would not take a three-hour bus ride from Al Abraq to the venue for safety reasons.

“As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game,” Troost-Ekong said on X. “Let them have the points.”

“The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason,” Troost-Ekong said. “They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.”