The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) introduced it should fly the nationwide staff house Monday after reviews of “inhumane treatment” in Libya forward of a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
“Players have decided not to participate in the match any longer, and NFF officials are making arrangements to return the team to Nigeria,” stated NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire.
Additionally, Nigeria has filed a proper criticism with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Nigerian staff has been stranded at an deserted airport in Libya for over 15 hours since their chartered flight arrived Sunday.
The Nigerian embassy in Libya reportedly can’t intervene, as they would wish permission from the Libyan authorities to take action.
Captain William Troost-Ekong stated the staff is not going to play the sport and won’t make the three-hour bus journey from Al-Abraq to Benina, the place the qualifier is scheduled to be performed Tuesday, for security causes.
“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 if we continued.”
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the staff to Libya, has urged for stiff sanctions towards Libya and supported the choice to boycott the match.
“If CAF knows their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football,” he informed Agence France-Presse (AFP). “This is a high-risk country, and one really 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 is 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.”
On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 within the southern metropolis of Uyo. They lead Group D with seven factors from three matches, whereas Libya sits on the backside of the standings with one level.
Source: www.dailysabah.com