ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s soccer players boycotted an African Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya on Monday after being stranded overnight at Al Abraq airport in what the team captain described as “psychological warfare.” They returned to their home country dancing and singing.
Libyan authorities denied sabotage, but the Confederation of African Football, which organizes the tournament, said it would investigate Nigeria’s “disgusting and unacceptable experience.”
The Super Eagles were scheduled to play their Group D match on Tuesday. Nigeria won 1-0 in Friday’s match between the two teams, but there were similar accusations of sabotage from the Libyan team, which was delayed at Nigeria’s airport.
Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong said the plane was scheduled to land at Benghazi airport but was diverted at the last minute to Al Abraq, about 220 kilometers away.
“The Libyan government canceled our landing permit in Benghazi for no reason,” Troost Ekong said on the X program. “The government locked the gates of the airport and left us without phone calls, food or drink. All to play mind games. As captains and with our team, we decided not to participate in this match. We have decided.”
The Libyan Football Federation said it regretted the diversion of the plane, adding: “Such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks and logistical issues that affect international air travel. It is important to note that
CAF said it has referred the incident to its disciplinary committee and will take appropriate action against those who violate the rules.
Photos posted online by the players also showed them lying on their seats at the airport, with their luggage next to them and no other passengers in sight. By Monday morning, some of them were asleep.
Nigeria Football Federation spokesperson Ademola Orazia said the team spent 19 hours at the Libyan airport and were ultimately prevented from leaving the facility to board a bus hired by Nigerian authorities.
“Shortly after midnight, we learned that we had been contacted by ‘higher authorities’ who said the Nigerian delegation should be delayed at the airport for at least 10 hours due to false claims made against the Nigerian team.” he said. Without explaining the details.
He said Nigerian players and officials eventually turned to games and music to suppress their anger and frustration.
Nigeria’s players include Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat-trick for Atalanta in last season’s Europa League final and is a candidate for the Ballon d’Or, and German champions Bayer Leverkusen’s striker Victor Boniface. There was also
The team that beat Libya 1-0 on Friday also included English Premier League players Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Wilfred Ndidi.
The Libyan team accused Nigeria of mistreatment ahead of the first leg, a claim denied by the Nigerian federation.
Libya captain Faisal al-Badri said they were delayed for three hours “from one city to another” after having their bags checked and before being transported on their journey to the city where the match would be held. He wanted “reciprocity.”
Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Owan Enoh said he had instructed the football federation to send a formal complaint to CAF. “This must be documented and thoroughly addressed,” he said in a statement.
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AP Sports Writer Steve Douglas contributed.
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