The Nigeria Football Federation will repatriate the national team after they were held at an abandoned airport in Libya for over 15 hours, leading to a boycott of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match due to safety fears. Victor Ikpeba supports this decision and criticizes CAF for permitting Libya to host matches under current conditions.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced plans to repatriate the national football team after they were reportedly subjected to inhumane conditions while stranded for over 15 hours at an abandoned airport in Libya. Concerns regarding safety prompted the team, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, to withdraw from their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, resulting in a forfeiture of the match. Victor Ikpeba, a former African Footballer of the Year, voiced his support for the team’s decision and criticized CAF for permitting Libya to host international matches, citing the country’s precarious safety situation. As stated by NFF’s director of communications, Ademola Olajire, the players reached a consensus that they would not participate in the match, citing serious safety concerns regarding the travel and accommodations that awaited them in Libya. This decision was made public through social media, where Troost-Ekong proclaimed, “Let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it is not safe.” The Nigerian embassy in Libya has been rendered unable to assist, as they require government permission to intervene. It was additionally reported that a formal complaint had been lodged by Nigeria with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Notably, in a match prior to this incident, Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory against Libya in Uyo, positioning them at the top of Group D with seven points.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of international football operations in certain locations, particularly amid Libya’s tumultuous political climate and past security issues. Stranded at the airport underscores the logistical challenges visiting teams may face and has led to calls for stronger regulations by governing bodies like the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The NFF’s decisive action not only reflects a response to immediate concerns for player safety but also signals an urgent need for appropriate measures to ensure the safety and welfare of athletes traveling abroad.
In summary, the decision of the Nigerian football team to forfeit the AFCON qualifier against Libya was driven by significant safety concerns resulting from their treatment while stranded. The NFF plans to bring the team back home amidst a formal complaint lodged with CAF about Libya’s conditions as a host nation, while prominent figures in the football community stress the need for punitive actions against Libya to prevent future occurrences.
Original Source: www.news24.com
