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14th October 2024
01:15pm BST
A Premier League star claimed he was being ‘held hostage’ in Libya after the Nigeria squad were left stranded at an airport following their African Cup of Nations qualifier.
Libya said their players faced ‘poor treatment’ after Nigeria beat them 1-0 on Friday courtesy of Fissayo Dele-Bashiru's late strike.
Ahead of the return match on Tuesday, Nigeria’s stars hit back with Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi claiming they were being held ‘hostage’.
According to reports, Nigeria's chartered flight - which was headed to the city of Benghazi - was diverted to Al-Abraq Airport by the Libyan government while it was in the air, with the squad subsequently prevented from leaving the airport.
Al-Abraq Airport is around four hours away from Benghazi and the Nigerian squad was left stranded for 13 hours according to Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface.
He said: “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep. Africa we can do better.”
Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep
— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) October 14, 2024
African we can do better @caf
Other members of the squad made claims of mistreatment.
Ndidi shared his thoughts on the situation in an Instagram story as he said: “This is not football. Very embarrassing. Hostage to a national team. Disgrace.”
William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria's captain, posted on X: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending.
“Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.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.”
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen, who is not currently in the squad due to injury expressed his anger at the situation his teammates found themselves in.
Taking to Instagram he said: “I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches are facing at the Libya airport last night.
“Actions like this go against the spirit of sportsmanship. My support is with my team, and I know they'll stay strong despite these obstacles.
“I call on CAF (Confederation of African Football) to intervene, as my teammates and officials are still stranded at the airport in Libya.
“This is uncalled for and inhumane. We stand together, stronger than ever.”
Libya’s captain Faisal Al-Badri claimed the Nigeria Football Federation had obstructed the seamless entry into the country for Friday’s game, something which the NFF rejected.
Al-Badri claimed his team left the hotel at six in the morning but the plane didn’t take off until nine.
He went on to say: “Our luggage was searched inside the plane for an hour, and we were also delayed in transportation from one city to another for three hours, even though we travelled on a private plane, and there was an airport close to the city we wanted to play in.
“We later contacted the company responsible for transporting and securing the mission, but they informed us that there was no police patrol at the time, which increased the risk.
“After a long time, three non-air-conditioned minibuses and a police car arrived, in addition to two cars from the Libyan embassy.”
However, NFF's Assistant Director, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi blamed the delays and breakdown in communications on the Libyan Football Federation.
Nigeria’s victory over Libya was a crucial step forward in their hopes of qualifying for AFCON 2025. They now sit top of their group, six points clear of their opponents.
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