The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Monday that their nationwide crew had returned house after alleged “inhumane therapy” in Libya forward of a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. “The Nigeria delegation departed the Al-Abraq Airport at precisely 15.05 hours, sure for town of Kano, and onwards to the Federal Capital, Abuja,” the NFF mentioned in a press release. NFF director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, outlined in a 20-point assertion the crew’s “ordeal on Libyan soil”, saying the “keenly-anticipated match” had been “relegated to a fiasco by Libyan federal authorities and Football Federation”.
The Nigerian crew had been held at an deserted airport in Libya for greater than 20 hours after their chartered flight landed Sunday.
The Super Eagles had been resulting from land in Benghazi however their aircraft was as a substitute diverted to Al Abraq, 230km (143 miles) away from their meant vacation spot.
A proper criticism by Nigeria has been despatched to the Confederation of African soccer (CAF) whose disciplinary board is now investigating the incident.
Captain William Troost-Ekong had mentioned the crew wouldn’t make a three-hour bus trip from Al-Abraq to Benina, the place the qualifier was scheduled to be performed on Tuesday, for security causes.
“As the crew captain along with the crew we now have determined that we are going to NOT play this sport,” he posted on social media.
“Let them have the factors.
“We is not going to settle for to journey wherever by highway right here even with safety it is not protected. We can solely think about what the lodge or meals can be like given to us if we continued.”
CAF mentioned they considered “the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team at an airport in Libya in a really critical mild”.
The assertion added that CAF had been in touch with each the Libyan and Nigerian authorities.
“Appropriate motion will probably be taken in opposition to those that violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations” the assertion concluded.
The Libyan soccer federation denied any impropriety, saying in a press release it had the “utmost respect” for Nigeria.
“There are not any grounds to accuse the Libyan safety groups or the Libyan Football Federation of intentionally orchestrating this incident,” it mentioned.
“Such actions are inconsistent with our values and rules.
‘The crew shouldn’t be protected’
Former African footballer of the 12 months Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied the Nigeria crew to Libya, has urged for stiff sanctions in opposition to Libya and supported the choice to boycott the match.
“If CAF know their job, Libya should be banned from worldwide soccer,” he instructed AFP.
“This is a high-risk nation and one actually wonders who authorised for Libya to be enjoying their video games at house.
“I performed for the Super Eagles for 10 years and I by no means skilled what I’ve in Libya within the final hours.”
“The crew aren’t protected, these of us travelling with them are additionally not protected,” he added.
“We had been locked up in an deserted airport for greater than 10 hours like hostages.
“The crew will name their bluff and never play this match.”
On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 within the southern metropolis of Uyo.
They lead Group D with seven factors from three matches, whereas Libya are backside of the standings on one level.
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