No water and food

Plane carrying Nigerian team forced to divert

The incident occurred when the Nigerian team traveled to Libya to prepare for a match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This match is scheduled to take place on October 16 at the Martyrs of February Stadium (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 on its way to Benghazi, it was suddenly diverted by Libyan security forces to the airport on the outskirts of Al-Abraq. Afterwards, the Nigerian team was again prevented from leaving the location. After nearly 20 hours of being stuck, the Nigerian team was able to continue moving to Benghazi. Worse, during the entire time at Al-Abraq airport, the Nigerian team was not provided with food, water, or wifi connection.

Nigerian team had to sleep at the airport

After nearly 20 hours the team was able to move.

The incident angered NFF officials and they decided not to participate in the upcoming match. According to NFF, the behavior of the Libyan host team made the Nigerian stars extremely angry and unacceptable. After arriving in Benghazi, many Nigerian players were upset and declared on social media that they had been taken "hostage".

“The ValueJet plane was strangely and dangerously diverted to a small airport, far from Benghazi,” the NFF said in a statement. “However, nearly 20 hours into the layover, weary players and officials were left stunned when the Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to the hotel.”

Phone not connected

“Almost 20 hours in an abandoned Libyan airport,” said Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong. “The Libyan government cancelled our landing in Benghazi for no reason. They locked the airport gates and didn’t give us any phone connections, food or drinks. It was all a mind game.”

“This is not football. It’s a shame. We are hostages to a national team. It’s a shame,” Ndidi wrote on Instagram.

Bayer Leverkusen player Victor Boniface added: “We were at the airport for almost 20 hours, with no food, no wifi, nowhere to sleep. My Africa, we can do better.”

Nigerian players criticize on social media

Meanwhile, Nigerian star Victor Oshihen, although not present, also criticized the behavior of the Libyan hosts. He said that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) should step in to punish Libya.

“I am very disappointed by the unfair treatment my teammates and coaches faced at the Libyan airport last night. 'Actions like this go against the spirit of sport . I call on CAF to intervene as 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 has unilaterally canceled the match. However, CAF has yet to issue any notice 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