Troost-Ekong confirms Super Eagles have been cleared to leave Libya after 'hostage situation'

William Troost-Ekong has confirmed that the Super Eagles are on their way back to Nigeria after suffering persecution from the Libyan authorities ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers game that is set to take place tomorrow.

The Northern African country started with a diversion of the flight of the Nigerian contingent before leaving them stranded at the Abraq International Airport.

The maltreatment has made it impossible for the Super Eagles to prepare for the fixture scheduled for Tuesday night, and their departure has put an end to the possibility of the Nigerian team participating in tomorrow's clash.

Writing on X, Troost-Ekong confirmed that their flight is being prepared to take them back to Nigeria

"Power of social media. Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly. Thanks for everyone’s support!

"I REITERATE: We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way. Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!”

The 2025 AFCON qualification campaign is scheduled to end in the November international window, but this recent development may force the Confederation of African Football to alter its plans.

The forthcoming international windows are set for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, putting CAF in an uncomfortable position should they decide to postpone the game.

Due to the disruption that a postponement would cause, CAF President Patrice Motsepe had pleaded with the Nigeria Minister of Sports Senator John Owan Enoh to have the game played as scheduled but failed in his attempt.

The 2025 AFCON has been scheduled to take place in Morocco between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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