Nigeria boycotts soccer game due to ‘cruel treatment’
Date
10/17/2024 3:21:52 AM
(MENAFN) The Nigerian national football team, known as the Super Eagles, has made the decision to boycott an upcoming qualifying match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Libya, citing what they describe as severe mistreatment during their travel to the North African country. The team's captain, William Troost-Ekong, reported that the squad faced significant challenges upon arrival, including an unexpected diversion of their flight and prolonged confinement at an airport.
Originally scheduled to arrive in Benghazi on Sunday, the team was diverted to Al Abraq, located approximately 230 kilometers from the match venue. Troost-Ekong expressed the team's frustration on social media platform X, detailing their ordeal of being stranded for over 12 hours in what he characterized as an abandoned airport. He noted that the Libyan government had unexpectedly revoked their landing approval in Benghazi without explanation, leaving the team without access to communication, food, or water. He accused the authorities of engaging in "mind games" that compounded their suffering.
In light of these circumstances, Troost-Ekong announced that the team would not participate in the match. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) later supported this decision, stating that the players were suffering from "trauma, fatigue, and body aches" due to what they termed "very cruel and unimaginable treatment." The NFF reported that their delegation, consisting of 22 players and team officials, spent a total of 19 hours at the airport. Their attempts to arrange transportation were thwarted by security personnel, who reportedly insulted the team members.
Compounding their difficulties, the NFF revealed that there were indications from "higher authorities" suggesting that the Nigerian delegation should be delayed at the airport for a minimum of ten hours in retaliation for perceived slights in Nigeria. NFF spokesperson Ademola Olajire emphasized the challenges faced by the team and the toll it took on the players' well-being.
The situation has drawn attention not only for its impact on the Super Eagles' preparation for the match but also for highlighting the broader issues of athlete treatment and international relations in the context of sports. As the team steps back from this qualifying match, it raises questions about the conditions faced by athletes in various international settings.
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