In a significant development, William Troost-Ekong, the captain of the Super Eagles, has expressed his appreciation for the decision made by the Confederation of African Football regarding the controversial match between Libya and Nigeria.
The ruling, which awarded Nigeria three points and goals while imposing a hefty fine of $50,000 on the Libya Football Federation, comes in the wake of the abandoned qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Taking to his X page on Saturday, Ekong hailed the outcome as a triumph for the Super Eagles, emphasizing that this verdict serves as a form of justice for his team.
The captain’s remarks reflect a sense of relief and vindication, as the Super Eagles look to solidify their standing in the tournament amidst the challenges faced in the qualifying rounds.
William Troost-Ekong wrote on his x handle; “JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000,”
“Plane was diverted 300km from scheduled airport even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel. One step closer to our target AFCON 2025.”
The Nigerian national football team, under the leadership of Austin Eguavoen, made headlines when they opted not to participate in their scheduled match in Benghazi on October 15.
The decision stemmed from grievances regarding inadequate treatment by Libyan officials, which left the players and staff stranded at an airport for an astonishing 16 hours. During this distressing ordeal, the team faced a dire lack of food and water, compounded by a complete absence of communication with Libyan authorities, igniting outrage among football fans globally.
In light of these circumstances, the Super Eagles ultimately chose to return to Nigeria rather than fulfill their commitment to the match.
In response to the backlash, Libyan officials asserted that the situation was unintentional, claiming that their own team had experienced similar difficulties during the first leg of the encounter just four days prior in Nigeria.
