On Tuesday, Nigeria was set to play Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, however the recreation will not go forward because the Nigerian workforce will boycott the sport. 

Nigeria had been set to fly into Benghazi Airport on Sunday forward of their qualifier on Tuesday however had been diverted to Al Abraq Airport. The distinction between the 2 cities is 234km or three and a half hours by automotive. 

Tweets from Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface in addition to former Watford defender William Troost-Ekong highlighted the continuing challenge.

On Monday morning, Boniface tweeted:

“Been on the airport for nearly 13 hours no meals no wifi no the place to sleep African we will do higher”

In an extended thread on Twitter, Troost-Ekong gave an in depth recount of the story:

12+ hours in an deserted airport in Lybia after our aircraft was diverted while descending. Lybian authorities rescinded our accepted touchdown in Benghazi with no purpose. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us with out cellphone connection, meals or drink. All to play thoughts video games.

I’ve skilled stuff earlier than enjoying away in Africa however that is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who fortunately managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not match for our aircraft to land had by no means seen one thing like this earlier than.

Upon arrival he tried to discover a close by airport to relaxation together with his crew to be denied at each resort once more below Authorities instruction. He might sleep there however NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They’ve returned to now sleep on the aircraft which is parked up.

At this level we’ve got referred to as for our Nigerian Authorities to intervene and rescue us. Because the captain along with the workforce we’ve got determined that we are going to NOT play this recreation. CAF ought to have a look at the report and what’s occurring right here. Even when they resolve to permit this sort of behaviour, allow them to have the factors. We is not going to settle for to journey anyplace by highway right here even with safety it’s not secure. We are able to solely think about what the resort or meals can be like given to us IF we continued.

We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they’re our company in Nigeria. Errors occur however this stuff on function don’t have anything to do with int. soccer.

Then within the afternoon, Boniface tweeted:

That is getting scary now You guys can have the purpose We simply wish to return to our nation

Troost-Ekong then confirmed that the workforce will return to Nigeria later at present:

Energy of social media. Apparently our aircraft is being fueled as we communicate and we ought to be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everybody’s assist!  I REITERATE: We might NEVER deal with a visitor nation for a recreation on this manner. Errors occur, delays occur. However by no means on function!

Augsburg’s Frank Onyeka was additionally part of the Nigeria squad throughout this worldwide break. Different gamers with Bundesliga ties concerned had been former RB Leipzig winger and Europa League closing hat-trick scorer Ademola Lookman, former Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Ejuke as soon as of Hertha Berlin and Maduka Okoye previously of Fortuna Düsseldorf’s youth academy. 

The African Soccer Federation (CAF) will seemingly resolve the subsequent steps of potential punishment for Libya in addition to the end result of the unplayed recreation. The 2 groups had beforehand met in Nigeria final week, which noticed the hosts beat Libya 1-0. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan