Nigeria Boycotts AFCON Qualifying Match Against Libya After Inhumane Treatment

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it will fly the country’s team back to the country Monday after alleged “inhumane treatment” in Libya ahead of a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

“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.

A formal complaint by Nigeria has also been sent to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Nigerian team has been held at an abandoned airport in Libya for more than 15 hours since their chartered flight landed Sunday.

The Nigerian embassy in Libya has indicated that it cannot take action without obtaining permission from the Libyan government.

Captain William Troost-Ekong stated that the team would not participate in the game and would not undertake the three-hour bus journey from Al-Abraq to Benina, where the qualifier was set to take place on Tuesday, due to safety concerns.

“As the team captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game,” he posted on social media.

“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.”

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba, who traveled with the team to Libya, has called for strict sanctions against Libya and expressed his support for the decision to boycott the match.

“If CAF knows their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football,” he told AFP.

“This is a high-risk country and one wonders who approved for Libya to be playing their games at home.

“I played for the Super Eagles for 10 years and I never experienced what I have in Libya in the last hours.”

“The team are not safe; those of us traveling with them are also not safe,” he added.

“We were locked up in an abandoned airport for more than 10 hours like hostages.

“The team will call off their bluff and not play this match.”

Soon after, Troost-Ekong gave his followers another update, suggesting that fuel in the airport needed for the plane was deliberately withheld to delay his side.

Libya Football Federation Response

The Libyan Football Federation has “firmly rejected” all accusations of wrongdoing as they blamed it on a “misunderstanding.”

In a statement on X, they explained, “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.

“It is important to highlight that just last week, our national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.”

On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in the southern city of Uyo.

They are at the top of Group D with seven points from three matches, while Libya sits at the bottom of the standings with one point.