Nigeria’s national football team found themselves stranded at Libya’s Al Abraq International Airport, initially citing operational challenges. However, after 16 hours without food, internet, or any official assistance from the Libyan FA, the situation escalated.
This left the Super Eagles enraged, prompting players to take to social media to express their feelings about what they perceived as a hostage situation.
The Libyan Football Federation has since responded. Their statement read,
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon.”
The federation also highlighted the difficulties their players faced just last month when they had to fly to Nigeria for a AFCON qualifying fixture. While the hosts secured a victory, the return match, originally scheduled for Monday, is now in doubt.
The Nigerian players decided to boycott the rescheduled game on October 16, believing that the Libyan Football Federation was deliberately keeping them at the airport to undermine their morale.
Exhausted from lack of food and proper sleep, the players received no sympathy from their hosts.
Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, and other Nigerian players took to social media to talk about the ongoing situation in Al Abraq — which isn’t even where they were supposed to play their game. They were just stuck in the airport, with Ndidi admitting to fearing for his life.
“This is becoming scary.. I’m scared for our lives,” he said on his Instagram story. “This is not football. Very embarrassing, hostage to a national team, disgrace” — Ndidi did not hold back while criticizing the Libyans.
“This is becoming scary. I’m scared for our lives”
– Wilfred Ndidi pic.twitter.com/u64it6TdaL
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) October 14, 2024
Bafflingly, Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong revealed that the pilot had indicated there was fuel all along, which was initially thought to be the reason for their delay.
UPDATE:
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— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
‘They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine?! How long are they planning to hold us hostage here? We’re still just waiting,” he had written on X (formerly Twitter).
