According to Super Eagles of Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong, they will not play the AFCON 2025 against the Mediterranean Knights following how Libyan officials treated them.
Super Eagles of Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has stated that the team will not play their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya under the conditions they were subjected to.
07:25 - 14.10.2024
Super Eagles: Victor Boniface laments 13-hour airport delay without food in Libya
Super Eagles of Nigeria striker Victor Boniface has lamented a 13-hour airport delay in Libya without food ahead of their AFCON 2025 qualifier.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria were met with unfriendly conditions upon their arrival for the matchday four fixture against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.
04:30 - 13.10.2024
Nigeria vs Libya: Time and where to watch Super Eagles take on Mediterranean Knights 2nd leg in AFCON 2025 qualifier
Don't sleep, check out when and where to watch the 2nd leg AFCON 2025 qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.
Libyan officials have made good on their threat to mishandle the Super Eagles and the Nigerian delegation ahead of the return qualifying encounter in Benina.
The plane that was supposed to take the Nigerian team to Benghazi was diverted to a different city, two hours drive away.
The players and their agents were kept inside Al Abaq Airport's arrival hall for several hours and were not allowed to leave.
Troost Ekong says Super Eagles won't play against Libya
Ekong Boniface is not happy with the treatment the Super Eagles have received in Libya.
He took to social media to express dissatisfaction with how he and his teammates have been received by the North African country.
In his post on his Instagram stories, Ekong explained that they intentionally diverted their plane before carrying out their plan.
This comes after Boniface stated that they were delayed in Libya for over 13 hours without food and where to sleep.
Ekong said, "They diverted our plane from its original destination once we started descending into Libya through their government instruction.
"Once we landed they've kept us in this abandoned airport for over 12 hours now without any provisions.
"Even our pilot who is Tunisian who wasn't locked in like a hostage came back hours later.
"He was told in every nearby hotel they would only accept him and none of the Nigerian aircrew members.
"Are we still talking about international football?
"We have kept our spirit up but these are no conditions we will accept when done on purpose.
"Travelling by road is not safe here and you can only imagine how they would treat us in the hotel or the food they will try to give us.
"It was funny before but as a team we respect ourselves and under these conditions, we won't play. @caf_online."
The Super Eagles are expected to take on the bottom-of-the-table Mediterranean Knights at the 10,000-capacity stadium in Benina, which is 19 kilometers from Benghazi on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.