Libya: How Long Will They Hold Us Hostage Here? – Troost-Ekong Gives Update

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong has provided a grim update on the team’s predicament in Libya, following their arrival at Al Abaq Airport.

Troost-Ekong had earlier criticized the shoddy treatment the team has received from Libyan authorities, who ignored the players after they landed on Sunday.

Originally scheduled to land in Benghazi ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, the senior football men’s team was unexpectedly redirected to Al Abaq, where they have reportedly been held without any explanation.

Troost-Ekong did not hold back in expressing his frustration, labelling the situation as “disgraceful” and accusing the Libyan authorities of playing “mind games” with the national team.

Describing the conditions at the airport, he stated that the team is being kept in an abandoned facility with no access to food, drink, or phone connections.

In another post on his X handle, he said, “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!!!  Still just waiting.

“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…

“At this point, I’m even tired of laughing instead of crying.”