Nigeria on verge of boycotting AFCON qualifier against Libya after a horrific 16-hour ordeal seen them stranded overnight.
Nigeria will boycott their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya on Tuesday.
Sunday’s Super Eagles team flight was supposed to land in Benghazi, but it was rerouted to Al Abraq, which is roughly 230 kilometres (143 miles) away from the original destination.
After making plans to go, the travelling party was “completely abandoned,” a Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official told BBC Sport Africa, and they were subsequently detained inside the airport building.
The team has opted not to play the game, according to Captain William Troost-Ekong, who also urged his nation’s authorities “to intervene and rescue us”.
Sen. John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s minister of sports development, stated that the team’s safe return was the primary worry.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) refuted claims of foul play while expressing its “deep concern” about allegations regarding the circumstances faced by the visiting team.
“We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional,” it said.
Representatives from Libya and Nigeria have been contacted by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) following the Super Eagles’ “stranding in disturbing conditions.”
A statement from Caf also stated that if its statutes and regulations have been broken, action will be taken. The subject has been referred to the disciplinary board for inquiry.
At 12:00 GMT, Troost-Ekong updated X, stating that the team was scheduled to leave Libya on Monday afternoon.
“There must be a serious adverse consequence to the LFF for this unspeakable behaviour,” Enoh said in a statement.
“This cannot be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation.
“The team insists they’re unable to go ahead with the match, not just because of the trauma and consequent psychological torture but also because of fear for their safety.”