Troost-Ekong slams Libyan authorities after ‘disgraceful’ airport ordeal

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has condemned the treatment of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team after they were stranded for over 12 hours at Al Abaq Airport in Libya.

The team was originally scheduled to land in Benghazi ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier but was redirected to Al Abaq, where they have been held without explanation.

In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Troost-Ekong described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the Libyan authorities of playing “mind games.”

He revealed that the team is being kept in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drink, or phone connections.

“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.

“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” he wrote.

Troost-Ekong also mentioned the difficulties faced by the Tunisian pilot, who managed the unexpected change in destination but was subsequently refused accommodation for his crew under government orders.