dpa
Berlin
Nigeria appear set not to play against hosts Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday after being diverted to a remote airport and stranded there overnight and for many hours.
Captain William Troost-Ekong accused Libya of “mind games” after Libya had complained about being treated badly around the reverse fixture Nigeria won 1-0 on Friday.
“This kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security,” Troost-Ekong said on X on Monday.
He said later Monday that the plane was being fuelled and that “we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly.”
Sports Minister John Owan Enoh said: “With the events of the past hours, their safety is not guaranteed and the team insists they’re unable to go ahead with the match not just because of the trauma and consequent psychological torture but also because of fear for their safety.”
Troost-Ekong said that the plane was diverted on Sunday while descending towards Benghazi where the match is due to be played, saying the “Libyan government rescinded our approved landing.”
The plane was diverted by around 200 kilometres to the remote airport of Al Abraq where the team seemingly spent many hours.
“Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep,” striker Victor Boniface said.
Troost-Ekong saying: “So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!!” Enoh also spoke of “an almost ‘hostage’ situation.” It was not clear why the plane was diverted and whether it was still on the ground.
Libya had reportedly accused Nigeria of bad treatment at the reverse fixture, having had to wait for hours for a shuttle bus and their departure delayed by a day.
Troost-Ekong said: “We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!”
