Calls grow for Eagles to abandon Libya game tomorrow after team is left stranded for 13 hours

CALLS are growing for the Super eagles to pull out of tomorrow African Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya in Benghazi tomorrow after the Libyans left the Super eagles stranded for 13 hours without food or any attention whatsoever.

In what should have been a straightforward matter, the Super Eagles have found themselves trapped in a humiliating ordeal that puts the spirit of sportsmanship under scrutiny. Scheduled to face Libya in Benghazi tomorrow for a crucial matchday four fixture, Nigeria’s national team remains stranded, fatigued and seemingly abandoned at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya.

After more than 12 hours of waiting in inhumane conditions, the game is now shrouded in uncertainty, with team members saying they should boycott the game in protest. Nigeria's delegation arrived in Libya full of optimism but their expectations were immediately dashed when their chartered ValueJet aircraft was inexplicably diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, far from their intended destination of Benghazi.

In a startling turn of events, the aircraft, which was just minutes away from landing in Benghazi, was rerouted to this little-known airport typically used for hajj operations, with no prior notice. Some 12 hours later, the Super Eagles remain stuck at the airport, frustrated and confused, as they wait for basic hospitality that never arrives.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, pointed out that their plane was diverted away from their destination to an airport unfit for landing, which in turn meant they would have to take a two hour road trip to their destination. Furthermore, the Nigeria team were not allowed to enter into any local hotels based on the instructions of the Libyan government.

Troost-Ekong added:“More than 12 hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Apparently, the Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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 said he has never seen anything like this before."

According to Troost-Ekong, upon arrival they tried to find a nearby airport to rest but were denied at every hotel under the government's instructions.  At this point, they called on the Nigerian government to intervene and the team is now thinking of not playing the game.

"The Confederation of African Football (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,” Ekong added.

Caf is yet to release an official statement about the situation in Libya and it is currently unknown if any punishment will be meted out for the home side’s treatment. On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo when the two teams met in the first leg of their tie, with the match passing without any incident.