The plane carrying the Nigerian team was forced to divert.
The incident occurred as the Nigerian national team traveled to Libya to prepare for a qualifying match for the 2025 African Cup of Nations. The match was scheduled to take place on October 16th at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya.
However, upon arriving in Libya, the Nigerian team was treated in an unacceptable manner. African media revealed that while the Nigerian team's flight was en route to Benghazi, Libyan security forces unexpectedly diverted it to Al-Abraq airport. The team was then prevented from leaving this location. After nearly 20 hours stranded, the Nigerian team was finally able to continue their journey to Benghazi. Worse still, during their time at Al-Abraq airport, the Nigerian team was not provided with food, water, or Wi-Fi access.
The Nigerian team had to sleep at the airport.
The team was finally able to move after nearly 20 hours.
The incident angered NFF officials, who decided not to participate in the upcoming match. According to the NFF, the behavior of the host team, Libya, infuriated the Nigerian stars and was unacceptable. After arriving in Benghazi, many Nigerian players expressed their outrage and claimed on social media that they had been taken "hostage."
The NFF announced: “The ValueJet plane was strangely and dangerously diverted to a small airport far from Benghazi. However, after nearly 20 hours of delay, the exhausted players and officials were further shocked when the Libyan Football Federation did not send any reception team or even vehicles to the hotel.”
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Nigerian team captain William Troost-Ekong expressed his anger: “Nearly 20 hours at an abandoned Libyan airport. The Libyan government canceled our landing in Benghazi without explanation. They locked the airport gates and prevented us from getting phone calls, food, or drinks. All just to play psychological games.”
Star player Ndidi wrote on Instagram: “This is not football. It’s shameful. We are being held hostage by a national team. It’s shameful.”
Bayer Leverkusen player Victor Boniface added: “We were at the airport for almost 20 hours, no food, no wifi, nowhere to sleep. My Africa, we can do better.”
Nigerian players collectively criticized the situation on social media.
Meanwhile, Nigerian star Victor Oshihen, although not present, also criticized the behavior of the host nation Libya. He argued that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) needed to intervene and punish Libya.
“I am deeply disappointed by the unfair treatment my teammates and coach faced at the Libyan airport last night. Actions like this go against the spirit of sportsmanship . I call on CAF to intervene because my teammates and officials are still stranded at the airport in Libya. This is unnecessary and inhumane.”
According to ESPN , CAF officials have been notified that the Nigerian team unilaterally canceled the match. However, CAF has not yet issued any statement or sanctions regarding the incident.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-nigeria-tuc-gian-huy-tran-vi-bi-giam-20-tieng-o-san-bay-khong-nuoc-va-thuc-an-185241014211221033.htm
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