Nigeria’s refusal to play games their Africa Cup of International locations (AFCON) qualification fixture in Libya next alleged “inhumane treatment” in their squad and eventual go back house has overshadowed Algeria and Cameroon qualifying for the 2025 soccer finals.
The Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) showed on Monday that their nationwide group had returned house next their lengthy “ordeal” at a empty airport in Libya.
“The Nigeria delegation departed the Al Abraq Airport at exactly 15.05 hours [13:05 GMT], bound for the city of Kano, and onwards to the Federal Capital, Abuja,” the NFF stated in a remark.
NFF director of communications, Ademola Olajire, defined in a 20-point remark the group’s “ordeal on Libyan soil”, pronouncing the “keenly-anticipated match” were “relegated to a fiasco by Libyan federal authorities and Football Federation”.
The Nigerian group have been held at an lonely airport in Libya for greater than 20 hours next their chartered aviation landed on Sunday.
The Tremendous Eagles were because of land in Benghazi, however their aircraft used to be diverted to al-Abraq, 230km (143 miles) clear of their supposed vacation spot.
Nigeria’s captain William Troost-Ekong had stated the group would now not create a three-hour bus experience from al-Abraq to Benina, the place the qualifier used to be scheduled to be performed on Tuesday, for protection causes.
“As the team captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game,” he wrote in a sequence of social media posts.
“Let them have the points.”
Nearest on Monday, Troost-Ekong showed his group’s go back house, however insisted “no team should be mistreated this way”.
“Football is about respect, and that starts by respecting ourselves,” he wrote.
BACK HOME 🇳🇬 SAFE & SOUND.
Pleased with this group, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be damaged.
Throw at us what you wish to have, it’s in our blood to triumph over. Ive unhidden a batch in my 10 years with this workforce, however not anything like this, an enjoy that has introduced us even nearer TOGETHER. pic.twitter.com/AwGw4aQW2y— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
Libya denies mistreatment as CAF launches inquiry
A proper grievance by way of Nigeria has been despatched to the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF), whose disciplinary board is now investigating the incident.
CAF stated it considered “the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team at an airport in Libya in a very serious light”.
The remark added that CAF were in touch with the Libyan and Nigerian government.
“Appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” the remark concluded.
On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 within the southern town of Uyo.
They top Team D with seven issues from 3 suits, day Libya are base of the standings with one level.
The Libyan Soccer Federation denied any impropriety, pronouncing in a remark it had the “utmost respect” for Nigeria.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident,” it stated.
“Such movements are inconsistent with our values and ideas.
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.”
The Libyan soccer frame stated its group “faced significant challenges upon arrival in Nigeria” ultimate occasion.
Algeria, Cameroon verify qualification with wins
In the meantime, Cameroon and Algeria sealed their spots within the 2025 pageant next recording wins of their respective workforce suits on Monday.
In Team J, Cameroon change Boris Enow beat Kenya goalkeeper Bryne Omondi off a separate kick outdoor the department to offer the five-time AFCON name holders a 1-0 win and qualification.
2nd-placed Zimbabwe beat Namibia 3-1 to exit 4 issues forward of Kenya within the combat for the alternative qualifying playground. The opponents meet upcoming date within the penultimate spherical.
Team E noticed two-time AFCON champions Algeria beat Togo 1-0 in Lome next Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini transformed an 18th-minute penalty.
Algeria have a most of 12 issues from 4 outings and second-placed Equatorial Guinea are prone to tie them as Dorian Hanza’s purpose in added life gave his facet a 2-1 win towards Liberia in Paynesville and a five-point merit over Togo.
Captain Elias “Domingues” Pelembe, who turns 41 in November, opened the scoring for Mozambique in a 3-0 Team I victory over Eswatini. It moved the Mambas above Mali to first playground.
4-time champions Ghana are preventing for survival within the race for qualification and can face Sudan in a key Team F fit.
Al Jazeera could have reside textual content protection for the fixture from 10:00 GMT.