The Nigeria Football Federation plans to fly the national team home after they experienced alleged inhumane treatment at an abandoned airport in Libya for over 15 hours. Led by Captain William Troost-Ekong, the team opted to forfeit their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya due to safety concerns. The situation has garnered support from football icon Victor Ikpeba, who calls for sanctions against Libya for allowing such conditions.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced plans to return the national football team to Nigeria following an incident in Libya where the team was allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours. Captain William Troost-Ekong, alongside his teammates, decided to forgo participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya due to significant safety concerns, leading to a formal match forfeiture. The NFF’s director of communications, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that the players collectively resolved against proceeding with the match and that arrangements were underway to return them home. A formal complaint regarding the incident has been lodged with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Nigerian team arrived in Libya on Sunday but became stranded at an abandoned airport, with the Nigerian embassy unable to provide assistance without government permission from Libyan authorities. In an official statement, Captain Troost-Ekong emphasized the team’s safety considerations, stating, “We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe.” Victor Ikpeba, a former African footballer of the year who traveled with the team, voiced strong support for the decision to boycott the match. He criticized CAF’s oversight in permitting Libya to host international events, asserting, “If CAF know their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football.” Ikpeba recounted their experience of being confined like hostages and called for serious repercussions against Libyan football authorities.
The incident involving the Nigerian football team highlights significant issues related to player safety and the humanitarian conditions under which they were forced to endure while in Libya. This situation raises pertinent questions about the governance of international matches and the criteria under which a country is deemed eligible to host such events. Libya’s political instability and security risks have been noted in previous discussions, and this incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers players may face in certain contexts. Prior to this incident, Nigeria’s national team had secured a victory against Libya, underscoring their competitive capabilities and aspirations within Group D of the AFCON qualifiers. However, the reported mistreatment and compromised safety have overshadowed these achievements, prompting calls for accountability from governing bodies like CAF.
In summary, the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to withdraw from the match against Libya follows severe allegations of inhumane treatment of the team. The insistence on prioritizing player safety has led to significant repercussions, including a formal complaint to CAF and a broader dialogue regarding the conditions under which international teams are permitted to compete. This incident not only highlights immediate concerns for Nigeria but also calls into question the stability and safety of Libya as a host nation for future international football events.
Original Source: www.news24.com
