Nigeria players ‘held hostage’ in abandoned airport and left with no food and water ahead of AFCON qualifier
Members of the Nigeria national team were held "hostage" at an abandoned airport ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, according to midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to land in Benghazi on Sunday but in an unforeseen turn of events, their plane was diverted to Al Abraq, which is more than 250km [155 miles] away from their intended destination.
They were then stranded at an airport in the North African country without food, drink or phone connection, according to Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong.
Troost-Ekong, who detailed their situation on social media platform X, also accused Libya of playing "mind games" ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations clash.
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Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi, meanwhile, took to Instagram, saying: “This is not football. Very embarrassing. Hostage to a national team. Disgrace," before adding: "This is becoming scary. I'm scared for our lives."
Troost-Ekong has since claimed that Nigeria have pulled out of the game against Libya – a game that was due to take place on Tuesday – and are heading home.
The 31-year-old defender, who plays his club football for Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood, used his social media platforms to share his side of the story.
He began: "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 Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.
"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."
He added: "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. 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. We 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 international football."
Several hours later, at 12:24pm, Troost-Ekong posted an update on his X account.
"Can I shock you?! the pilot has just told us there has been fuel at this airport for the plane all this time. They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine?! So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!! Still just waiting.
"After our first tweets magically a team bus arrived and a driver who has been standing inside the airport filming us and laughing with some of the other staff since last night said the bus was ready 12 hours after we landed. Now we have been waiting for fuel since morning."
He added: "At this point I’m even tired of laughing instead of crying."
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said it was "deeply concerned" by reports about the situation, adding: "We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional."
Topics: Africa Cup Of Nations, Football
Jack Kenmare