On Tuesday evening, they were scheduled to play the qualifying match in <a href="https://www.archyde.com/libya-with-two-prime-ministers-after-controversial-parliament-vote/" title="Libya with two prime ministers after controversial parliament vote”>Benghazi, but national team captain William Troost-Ekong says that they now refuse to play the match.
– 12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our flight was diverted on its way to land. The Libyan government revoked our approval in Benghazi without reason. They have locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food or drink. All to psyche us out, he writes on X and continues:
– Now we have asked the Nigerian government to intervene and save us. As captain, together with the team, we have decided NOT to play this match.
According to AFP, the Nigerian Football Association has sent a formal complaint to the Confederation of African Football.
The Nigerian embassy in Libya reportedly cannot intervene as they need permission from the Libyan government.
Former Bodø/Glimt player and current Leverkusen star Victor Boniface is also affected by the situation. He has also shared his frustration online.
– Have been at the airport for almost 13 hours without food, wifi or anywhere to sleep. Africa we can do better, signed Boniface X this morning.
Three hours later, he came up with another update.
– Help me call my grandmother and tell her that her grandson is okay. No, this is sick, he wrote.
#Nigerian #national #team #stranded #Libya #phone #connection #food #drink