The Nigeria national football team has decided to boycott an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya, citing “inhumane treatment” and safety concerns after being stranded at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours. The Nigeria Football Federation plans to return the team home, while former footballer Victor Ikpeba calls for sanctions against Libya for hosting international matches under such conditions.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced plans to return the national football team back to Nigeria following what they described as “inhumane treatment” in Libya. The team, led by Captain William Troost-Ekong, was stranded at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours after arriving for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Faced with significant safety concerns, the Nigerian players collectively resolved to forfeit the upcoming match against Libya rather than endure further risk. NFF’s communications director, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that the players are prioritizing their safety and are making arrangements to fly back to Nigeria. The situation escalated with a formal complaint submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the treatment the Nigerian team endured. Compounding the issue, the Nigerian embassy in Libya has reportedly lacked the authority to intervene unless granted permission from the Libyan government. Captain Troost-Ekong publicly communicated the team’s decision not to participate in the match, stating, “As the team captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. 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.” In support of the team’s decision, former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has called for strict sanctions against Libya and criticized the decision to allow them to host international matches. He lamented, “If CAF know their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football. This is a high-risk country and one really wonders who approved for Libya to be playing their games at home. Additionally, he recounted the dire conditions faced by the team during their imprisonment at the airport, describing his feelings of vulnerability: “The team will call off their bluff and not play this match.” Prior to this incident, Nigeria had secured a 1-0 victory against Libya in Uyo, solidifying their lead in Group D of the qualifiers.
The Nigeria Football Federation has repeatedly emphasized the importance of player safety and welfare, particularly in international competitions. Recent events have illuminated the precarious and often perilous conditions teams may encounter when traveling to countries with instability or security concerns. This incident highlights the growing scrutiny of venue selections for international competitions by governing bodies like CAF, particularly in regions deemed high-risk. The Nigerian team’s experience reflects a broader issue of governmental and organizational accountability in international sports.
In summary, the Nigerian football team has opted to forfeit their match in Libya due to what they described as unsafe and substandard conditions encountered during their stay. The incident raises significant concerns regarding the safety protocols in place for international sporting events in regions with known security challenges. The actions taken by the NFF and the calls for sanctions against Libya underscore the imperative for greater oversight and due diligence by international governing bodies to ensure the welfare of teams competing on foreign soil.
Original Source: www.news24.com
