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Topic:Soccer
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong documented his team's time at the airport. (Instagram: William Troost-Ekong)
The Nigerian men's football team has called off the second leg of its Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya after being diverted and stranded at an airport.
Nigeria captain William Troost Ekongsaid it was "mind games" from Libyan authorities.
The Libya team accused Nigeria of maltreatment ahead of the first leg, an allegation the Nigerian federation denied, just as Libya denied Nigeria's claims.
Nigeria's national football team has returned to their country dancing and singing after boycotting their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya.
It came after they were stranded overnight at Al Abraq Airport in what the team captain described as "mind games".
Authorities in Libya denied it was sabotage, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it would investigate the "disturbing and unacceptable experiences" of Nigeria.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to play the Group D game on Tuesday (Wednesday morning AEDT). Nigeria won 1-0 when the teams played on Friday, when similar accusations of sabotage from the Libya team came after they were delayed at a Nigerian airport.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong said the plane was due to land at Benghazi Airport but was diverted at the last minute to Al Abraq some 220 kilometres away.
"The Libyan government rescinded our approved [for] landing in Benghazi with no reason," Troost-Ekong said on social media.
"They've locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
"As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game."
The Libyan Football Federation said it regretted the flight diversion, adding: "It is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks or logistical challenges that affect international air travel," it said on X.
The CAF said it referred the incident to its disciplinary board, which would take "appropriate action against those who violated" its rules.
Troost-Ekong said the team was left "without phone connection, food or drink". (Instagram: Nigerian Football Federation)
Pictures posted online by the players showed some of them lying on airport seats, some of them asleep, with their luggage beside them and with no other passengers in sight.
Nigerian Football Federation spokesman Ademola Olajire said the team spent 19 hours at the Libyan airport and they were prevented from leaving the facility to board the buses that Nigerian officials eventually hired.
"At past midnight, it was learnt that there had been word from 'higher authorities' that the Nigeria delegation should be delayed for a minimum of 10 hours at the airport for what they falsely claimed was done to their team in Nigeria," Mr Olajire said without elaborating.
The Nigerian players and officials eventually resorted to games and music to ease their anger and frustration, he said.
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Among the players in Nigeria's squad were Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat-trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final last season and is on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, and Victor Boniface, a striker for German champion Bayer Leverkusen.
English Premier League players Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Wilfred Ndidi were also in the team that beat Libya 1-0 on Friday.
The Libya team accused Nigeria of maltreatment ahead of the first leg, an allegation the Nigerian federation denied.
Libya captain Faisal Al-Badri said they were delayed "from one city to another" for three hours after their bags were searched, and before they were transported on a road trip to the city where the match was played. He had called for "reciprocity".
Nigerian Sports Minister John Owan Enoh said he instructed the football federation to send a formal complaint to the CAF.
"This must be on record and thoroughly addressed," he said in a statement.
AP
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