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Nigeria left raging as squad is stranded in 'abandoned airport' ahead of Libya clash - as captain William Troost-Ekong insists Super Eagles won't be playing in call for government intervention

Africa Cup of Nations Qualification

Nigeria

Rwanda

Libya

Benin

<p>Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, who plies his trade with Saudi Pro League club Al-Kholood, has accused Libya of playing "mind games" ahead of their African Cup of Nations qualifying game as a result. He shared images of the players exhausted after allegedly waiting for more than 12 hours, as some of them slept on the waiting chairs at the airport.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/UrMAawFdQb">pic.twitter.com/UrMAawFdQb</a></p>— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTroostEkong/status/1845741139858477368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 31-year-old defender called for the Nigerian government to intervene immediately and insisted his country will not play in Tuesday's AFCON qualifier in protest against the mistreatment they have been subjected to.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Taking to <a href="https://x.com/WTroostEkong/status/1845716878016025057" target="_blank">X</a>, the national team captain wrote: "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 Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.</p><p>"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."</p><p>He added: "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."</p>

WHAT WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG SAID

<p>The Super Eagles, who beat Libya 1-0 at their home last Friday, were supposed to play the same opponent away from home on Tuesday. Troost-Ekong later said in an update that their plane was finally being refuelled and the squad was flying back to Nigeria, evidently pulling out of the return match against Libya.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR NIGERIA?

Nigeria left raging as squad is stranded in 'abandoned airport' ahead of Libya clash - as captain William Troost-Ekong insists Super Eagles won't be playing in call for government intervention | Goal.com

Nigeria&apos;s national team claims it has been stranded for hours in an abandoned Libyan airport after their flight was diverted, leading to outrage.

Nigeria left raging as squad is stranded in &apos;abandoned airport&apos; ahead of Libya clash - as captain William Troost-Ekong insists Super Eagles won&apos;t be playing in call for government intervention