“We will not play this game” – William Troost-Ekong speaks on Nigeria’s unfair treatment at Libya airport

Captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, William Troost-Ekong, has aired his thoughts on the unfair treatment the Nigerian team are facing in Libya, revealing they’ve agreed to boycott the game, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, courtesy of a late Ayodele-Bashiru strike, and were set to play the away game against the Mediterranean knights tomorrow at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.

The Super Eagles landed in Libya last night, but were unable to leave the airport as they were held down by the countries authorities, and still are at this moment.

The captain mentioned their plane was diverted away from their destination to an airport unfit for a plane to land, which in turn meant they’d have to take a two hour road trip to their destination.

Furthermore, the Nigeria team were not allowed to enter into any hotels based on the instructions of the Libyan Government, which infuriated Ekong. After consulting the team, the Al-Kholood defender revealed the Super Eagles will not play the game against Libya tomorrow.

“More than twelve hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.

I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.

Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.

At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, 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.

We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with International football,” the Captain wrote on his official X page.

CAF are yet to release an official statement about the situation in Libya and it is currently unknown if punishments will be meted out for the home side’s treatment, or for Nigeria choosing not to play the game.