Nigeria boycott Africa Cup of Nations fixture after being left stranded in Libya airport

Players of Nigeria pose for a team photo at last year's Africa Cup of Nations final. Photo / Getty Images

Uncertainty surrounds the Africa Cup of Nations fixture between hosts Libya and Nigeria after the visitors went home after being forced to land 220km from the Benghazi venue following a late diversion and being stranded overnight at Al Abraq Airport.

“The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason,” Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong said on X, formerly Twitter.

“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 Super Eagles had been scheduled to play Libya on Wednesday in the Group D fixture. 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.

Though authorities in Libya denied it was sabotage, the Confederation of African Football, which organises the competition, said it will investigate the “disturbing and unacceptable experiences” of Nigeria.

“Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where (sic) to sleep,” striker Victor Boniface said during the ordeal.

Troost-Ekong said: “So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!! ... This kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security.’’

The Libyan FA insisted the diversion “was not intentional”.

Libya had reportedly accused Nigeria of bad treatment at the previous fixture, having had to wait for hours for a shuttle bus and their departure delayed by a day.

In on-field action, five-time winners Cameroon and 2019 champions Algeria have both booked their places at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals after victories in qualifying, bringing the number of confirmed teams to four.

Cameroon defeated Kenya 1-0 when Boris Enow scored the only goal of the game in neutral Kampala, while Ramy Bensebaini netted a first-half spot-kick winner for Algeria against Togo in Lome.

Enow drilled in a low free kick as Cameroon dominated in Kampala in the absence of their federation president Samuel Eto’o, who is serving a six-month stadium ban by world governing body FIFA.

The victory ensured Cameroon a place in the group’s top two, which is enough to secure a place at the 24-team finals.

Cameroon and Algeria - who have 12 points from four games - join hosts Morocco and Burkina Faso as the four teams so far confirmed for the finals.

In other results, Gambia beat Madagascar 1-0, Equatorial Guinea scored a 2-1 away win against Liberia, Mozambique handed hosts Eswatini a 3-0 loss, and home side Zimbabwe had a 3-1 victory against Namibia.

- with DPA