Unfriendly Treatment Of Nigeria Super-Eagles In Libya

The Nigerian national football team the Super Eagles encountered a serious dilemma as they gear up for their African Cup of Nations qualifier. Their flight was unexpectedly rerouted to a distant airport 3½ hours away from their intended match in Benghazi. The players have been stuck at this location for over 12 hours without food, beverages, drinks, or internet access, raising concerns about their welfare.

The Nigerian Football Federation has rejected any allegations of mistreatment towards the Libyan delegation during the last match they had. However, the conditions surrounding the team’s current situation have sparked alarm. William Troost-Ekong, the captain of Nigeria and a former defender for Watford, has publicly declared that the team will not take part in the forthcoming match. He has called for intervention from the Nigerian government, describing the scenario as similar to a hostage situation. Troost-Ekong stressed that while the team respects their opponents, they cannot accept the conditions they are enduring. He urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to look into the issue, asserting that the team would prefer to forfeit the match rather than travel by road under the present circumstances.

Victor Osimhen, a striker for Galatasaray, although not part of the squad, has expressed his support for the team’s stance. He characterized the actions of the Libyan Football Association as a calculated strategy to demoralize the players, comparing the situation to a hostage crisis. Osimhen highlighted the significance of the safety and well-being of his teammates and coaching staff, stating that they are neither criminals nor captives and should be permitted to return home safely.