FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations - Final - Nigeria v Ivory Coast - Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, Abidjan, Ivory Coast - February 11, 2024 Nigeria players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo
(Reuters) -Nigeria have pulled out of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya and were heading home on Monday, their captain said, in protest at being diverted and abandoned for hours in an airport far from the match venue.
The Super Eagles had been due to play Libya on Tuesday in the city of Benghazi, where they hoped to seal a qualification berth for the finals in Morocco late next year.
But after being stranded for more than 16 hours at an airport 250 km (155 miles) away from their intended destination, the Nigerian players said they would not fulfil the fixture.
"As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game," William Troost-Ekong said on X. "Apparently our plane is being fuelled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly."
The Nigeria Football Federation said that as the team's charter flight was descending to Benghazi, it was diverted to Al Abraq International Airport with no alternative transport offered.
'AFRICA, WE CAN DO BETTER'
The Libyan Football Federation said the incident was not deliberate and urged Nigeria to be understanding, adding that their players had also faced travel difficulties in Nigeria last week.
"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, adding that disruptions can occur from routine air traffic protocols, security checks or other logistical challenges.
"We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill."
Nigeria striker Victor Boniface complained he had been stuck at the airport for almost 13 hours with no food, WiFi or place to sleep. "Africa, we can do better," he said on X.
It is unclear what will happen to the points from the game with the matter to be referred to the Confederation of African Football's disciplinary board.
CAF said in a statement that it was in contact with authorities in both nations, with "appropriate action" to be taken against anyone who violated its rules.
Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in the reverse fixture in Uyo on Friday thanks to a late goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, taking them to seven points from three games in their group.
Benin have six points, Rwanda two and Libya one. The top two teams in each group advance to the 24-team finals.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Ken Ferris)
