The Nigeria national football team has opted to boycott their AFCON qualifier in Libya after being subjected to over 17 hours of neglect at an airport, leading to calls for sanctions against Libya. The team, lacking basic necessities, decided to return to Nigeria rather than proceed with the match, reflecting severe safety concerns and dissatisfaction with their treatment in the host country.
The Nigeria men’s national football team has decided to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya, citing severe mistreatment during their stay in the host country. Captain William Troost-Ekong reported that the team was abandoned at Al Abraq International Airport for more than 17 hours without access to food, drink, or proper facilities. After experiencing what they described as ‘inhumane treatment’, the players agreed to forgo the match and return home. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has arranged for their return flight to Nigeria instead of proceeding to the scheduled game in Benina, near Tripoli. Upon their arrival in Libya, the team’s chartered flight was diverted, and once landed, they faced unexpected restrictions, including the airport being locked down. Troost-Ekong expressed the players’ collective decision to not engage in the match, stating, “Let them have the points.” He illustrated the dire situation, sharing images of his teammates resting on airport chairs and maintaining that the conditions were unacceptable, even by the standards of previous away games in Africa. The Nigerian authorities have lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), seeking accountability for the treatment received. There have been calls from prominent figures, such as former African footballer of the year Victor Ikpeba, for serious consequences against Libya, emphasizing the safety concerns for the players and officials present.
The Africa Cup of Nations is a major football tournament in Africa, and qualifying matches are crucial for teams seeking to participate. Host countries are expected to provide adequate facilities and safe environments for visiting teams. In recent history, Libya has faced criticism regarding its capacity to host international sporting events due to safety and logistical issues. The incident involving Nigeria’s national team underscores the broader challenges teams face when traveling to countries with unstable political and social conditions. Additionally, Nigeria’s national football team has an illustrious history in African football, making their treatment particularly concerning.
The Nigeria football team’s decision to boycott their AFCON qualifying match against Libya serves as a strong statement against what they perceived as unacceptable treatment by the host nation. The decision highlights the critical importance of ensuring safe and dignified conditions for competing teams. As the Nigeria Football Federation continues to address this incident with CAF, the outcome may impact future engagements in Libya and provoke a serious discourse regarding the standards for hosting international matches in regions facing instability.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
