Football
Nigeria Football Team Boycott Libya AFCON Qualifier After Being Held Hostage In Airport
Andy is a horse racing journalist and betting expert who specializes in trends and stats. With his long association with TrainersQuotes and FromTheStables, Andy has also built up solid contacts with some of the best stables in the UK. Has written for GeeGeez and bookmakers Matchbook and BetBright in the past too, plus was the former sports betting editor of odds comparison site Easyodds and Juicestorm. Has also appeared on betting podcasts for MatchBook and has featured in the popular Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide in the past. Andy's also ghost written for former top jockey Richard Dunwoody and continues to have a monthly column in the Racing Ahead horse racing magazine. Now a regular on Sportscasting giving his views, trends and tips mainly on horse racing - if there's a stat to be explored and it's a sport, Andy is sure to find a betting angle to use. You can also hear Andy's weekly horse racing views and best bets on the popular Final Furlong podcast.
Get to know Andy Newton betterPublished19 hours ago on October 14, 2024
The Nigeria football team have boycotted their Tuesday night African Cup Of Nations qualifier against Libya after the side were left stranded at Al-Abraq Airport, with no food or water.
Nigeria Boycott AFCON Qualifier Against Libya After ‘Super Eagles’ Deserted At Airport In ‘Poor Treatment’ Row
Last Friday (18th October), Nigeria took on Libya at home in an AFCON qualifier – winning 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Lazio’s Fissayo Dele-Bashiru.
However, the match also hit the football headlines for another reason with the Libya team claiming they faced ‘poor treatment’ before and after the match.
This has led to Libya seemingly returning the ‘lack of care‘ in the return fixture, that is due to be played on Tuesday 15th October – by holding the Nigeria team hostage at an airport in a sort of ‘tit-for-tat’ situation.
It’s been reported that Nigeria’s chartered flight was diverted to Al-Abraq Airport from Benghazi by the Libyan government.
As the story developed this also saw the Super Eagles being prevented from leaving the airport, which is four hours away from where they are due to be. With players and coaches left to fend for themselves with no food or water.
Many of Nigeria’s players then took to social media to report the mistreatment, with captain William Troost-Ekong saying on X.
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
“12+ 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.
With Bayern Leverkusen star Victor Boniface chipping in with.
“Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep. Africa we can do better.
Premier League players, Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Calvin Bassey (Fulham) and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) are also in the Nigeria squad.
Nigeria Have Since Stated They Will Boycott The Match Against Libya
As tensions rose on the socials, Nigeria’s Troost-Ekong announced that his side have now decided to NOT play the game against Libya.
"We have decided we will NOT play this game" ❌
William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria Captain, has revealed the team's intentions to boycott their upcoming AFCON qualifier after the team were left stranded in an airport in Libya. pic.twitter.com/qW2x5RWCFl
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 14, 2024
“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.
“Troost-Ekong continued: ‘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. 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 int. football.
Nigeria Top AFCON Qualifying Group
Nigeria currently sit top of their AFCON Qualifying Group D Table with 7 points.
With Benin in second (6 points), Rwanda third (2 points) and Libya fourth (1 point), with each side having played three games.
At this stage it’s not known when the rescheduled Libya vs Nigeria fixture, that the Super Eagles have boycotted, will be played.
The best football betting sites in the UK have Nigeria as one of the favourites to top their qualifying group.
Morocco will host the 2025 AFCON tournament.
AFCON Qualifying Group D Table
| Position |
Team |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
Points |
| 1 | Nigeria | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | Benin | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Rwanda | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Libya | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Note: Standings correct 14th Oct 2024