Nigeria have decided to boycott their 2025 Africa Cup following the nations qualifier
which took place in Libya as a result of players being stranded overnight at an
airport. The Super Eagles team were supposed to land in Benghazi but instead their
plane got diverted to Al Abraq airport. As a result, the team boycotted the match
which was scheduled to be played on Tuesday at 19:00 pm. After being stranded in
the building 143 miles away from where the match was supposed to take place the
Nigerian delegation took a plane back home, returning back to Kano. Libya were
trained to replace Nigeria’s team and play the game. However, the Confederation of
African Football decided that the qualifier match will not take place. As a result of
Nigeria refusing to play the game, the LFF stated that the decision “commends” the
steps that were taken by the Nigerian Football Federation. The Super Eagles
captain, William Troost-Ekong defended his squad's decision to boycott the match,
stating on X “Football is about respect, and that starts by respecting ourselves”. The
CAF disciplinary board is investigating what took place after the Nigerian team was
stranded. What was the appropriate reaction from the team, shouldd they have
played anyways considering the consequences it may have on their position in the
AFCON.
