Nigerian Football Team 'Deliberately' Stranded At Libya Airport Overnight, To Boycott AFCON Qualifier
In the first leg of the AFCON qualifying encounter between Nigeria and Libya, the Libyan football team had accused maltreatment, an allegation which Nigeria had denied.
Nigeria's football team has decided to boycott their Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Libya. Their decision comes after the team was left stranded at the Al Abraq Airport for more than 16 hours. The captain feels that this was "deliberately" done as mind games ahead of their second-leg fixture on Tuesday (October 15).
It is pertinent to note that Nigeria ended up winning the first leg of the tie 1-0 on Friday. That match had involved accusation of sabotage from the Libyan side. Nigeria captain had levelled some serious charges saying that the plane was due to land at Benghazi Airport but was diverted at the last minute to Al Abraq, 200 kilometres away from the original destination.
Notably, players of the team posted several pictures online in which thet can be seen lying on the airport seats with their luggage beside them in a scarcely populated space. Some of them had fallen asleep in not the most comfortable circumstances.
Nigeria's Super Eagles Players have been stranded at the airport in Libya 17 hours, after their flight was diverted.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) October 14, 2024
They are reportedly being held hostage by Libyan authorities.
Nigeria have pulled out of the match in the AFCON qualifying round.
The Libyan media claims their… pic.twitter.com/yiapvi4NcA
UPDATE @OgaNlaMedia
— footballtemple (@footballtempleX) October 14, 2024
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after consulting with the Team doctors and players have been advised not to honour the game due to the health of the players.
The Nigerian contigent have spent 12+ hours at the Al-Abraq airport.
The players have been… pic.twitter.com/m7mzjXFXqf
Taking to Instagram, star striker Victor Osimhen, who was not part of the squad because of a muscle injury, accused the Libyan football federation that it was an intentional ploy to demoralise the players ahead of a crucial match.
What The Libyan Team Had Accused During The 1st Leg?
Notably, the Libyan team had accused maltreatment before the first leg. That time around Nigerian Football federation had denied the charges. Libya's captain Faisal Al-Badri had said that they were delayed for three hours after their bags were searched. They were then transported to the city where the match was played via road.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's sports minister John Owan Enoh has asked the government to send a formal complaint to the continent's supreme football governing body.
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