…Players Vow Not To Play The Match

By Amaechi Agbo

The delegation of Nigeria to tomorrow’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya on Sunday.

The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.

It was gathered that the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.

Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.

The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.

Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.

The NFF was ready to book hotel rooms for players and officials close to the said airport, but were told by all hotels approached that they have been instructed not to welcome Nigerians.

The aircraft crew went searching for hotel rooms, but were told the same thing.

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong was offered hotel room because he’s a North African but he turned it down and opted to return with the rest of the crew to the airport and sleep in the aircraft.

Nigeria is scheduled to play Libya in the Matchday 4 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday by 8pm local time.