Super Eagles stars, Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali, have expressed serious disappointment regarding the poor treatment of the Nigerian national team at Libya’s Al Abraq International Airport.
The team was stranded for hours under distressing conditions while en route to Benghazi for a vital international qualifier.
In a post on Monday, Osimhen voiced his anger over what he described as the “inhumane” and “unprofessional” handling of the team at the airport.
He explained that the treatment the players and coaching staff endured went beyond the boundaries of acceptable sportsmanship.
“I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches faced at the Libyan 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,” Osimhen shared on social media, expressing solidarity with his teammates.
Osimhen also called on the Confederation of African Football to take immediate action, urging the relevant authorities to step in and rectify the situation.
“I call on CAF and other football bodies 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.”
Stanley Nwabali echoed his teammate’s sentiments, taking to social media to shed light on the appalling conditions the team had faced.
Nwabali disclosed that the Super Eagles had been stranded for over 14 hours at the deserted Al Abraq Airport with no access to basic necessities.
“Over 14 hours spent at an abandoned Libyan airport. No food, no water, no internet access — this is absolutely crazy! #CAF_Online, please do the needful,” Nwabali tweeted, drawing attention to the team’s desperate need for help.
Adding to the growing outcry, fellow Super Eagles player Victor Boniface also voiced his frustration on social media, detailing the discomfort and lack of proper provisions for the team during their ordeal.
“Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. Africa, we can do better,” Boniface lamented online.
According to The PUNCH*, the Nigerian delegation had been on a chartered flight to Benghazi for an important match when their plane was suddenly diverted mid-air to Al Abraq, a much smaller airport typically used for hajj pilgrimages.
The diversion left the entire delegation stranded for more than 12 hours without any form of support from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation or any other assistance.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, CAF has yet to respond to the incident, leaving the Nigerian squad in limbo at the time of the reports.
