William Troost-Ekong, captain of the Super Eagles, has disclosed how the team leveraged the power of social media to stop the frustration from the Libyan Football Federation.
Troost-Ekong, who had earlier released pictures of his stranded teammates sleeping on chairs at a Libyan airport, described the antics of the North African authorities as surprising.
The team had threatened to boycott the match over safety concerns which had generated reactions back home.
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Giving further updates on the situation, the Super Eagles captain in a tweet, narrated how the situation change after their tweets which brought global attention to the issue.
Super Eagles returning to Nigeria after Libya stalemate
We faced similar difficulties in Nigeria but didn’t make accusations, says Libya
He wrote: “Can I shock you. The pilot has just told us there has been fuel at this airport for the plane all this time.
“They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine. So how long are they planning to hold us hostage here.
“After our first tweets, magically a team bus arrived and a driver who has been standing inside the airport filming us and laughing with some of the other staff since last night said the bus was ready 12 hours after we landed.
“Now we have been waiting for fuel since morning…Power of social media. Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving for Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support.”
Speaking on insinuations that the Libyan Football team received similar treatment in Uyo during the first leg on Friday, the Super Eagles captain said: “I reiterate, we would never treat a guest nation for a game in this way.
“Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose”.
Earlier while lamenting the situation, the Super Eagles captain said: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending.
“Libya government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.
“They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour”.
He added: “Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.
“At this point, we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game”.
He called on CAF to look at the report and “what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow it.
“This kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security, it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us if we continued”.
“We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen, but these things on purpose have nothing to do with international football,” he said.
Daily Trust reports that Nigeria was billed to face Libya on Tuesday from 8 p.m. in Benina, a journey of about four hours by road from the Al-Abaq Airport.
Following Libya’s 1-0 loss to Nigeria in Uyo on Friday, the return leg match in Libya in the Group D encounter has been overshadowed with the shabby treatment from the host.
The Super Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday afternoon to Benghazi before their aircraft was diverted to Al Abraq, a city which is more than two hours drive.
The development left players and officials stranded and was worsened by the Libyan Football Federation faileure to assist and provide transportation.
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