TROOST-EKONG CRITICIZES SHODDY TREATMENT OF EAGLES BY LIBYAN AUTHORITIES
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Following their more than 12-hour disregard at Al Abaq Airport on Sunday, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has blasted the Libyan government’s poor handling of the team.
Prior to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, the senior football men’s team was supposed to land in Benghazi. However, they were abruptly moved to Al Abaq and have been there ever since.
Troost-Ekong characterised the scenario as “disgraceful” and accused the Libyan government of engaging in “mind games” in a series of tweets sent early on Monday morning.
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He claims that the squad is being housed in an abandoned airfield with no phone connections, food, or drink available.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.
“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” he wrote.
He also bemoaned the challenges faced by the Tunisian pilot who handled the last-minute destination change but was later denied lodging for his crew by the authorities.
Nigerian staff members were forced to sleep on the plane since they were not permitted to remain at the airport, while the pilot was permitted to rest there.
“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 anything like this before,” he wrote.
“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew but was denied at every hotel, again under government instruction. He could sleep there, but no Nigerian crew members were allowed. They have now returned to sleep on the plane, which is parked up,” Troost-Ekong added.
“We will NOT play this game,” he declared, urging the Nigerian government to intervene and rescue the stranded team.
“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen, but these deliberate actions have nothing to do with international football.”
After winning the first leg of their AFCON qualification match against the Mediterranean Knights 1-0 in Uyo on Friday, the Super Eagles had originally gone to Libya for the second game.
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