Nigerian football stars Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali have expressed their anger and frustration over the treatment faced by the Super Eagles at the Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.
The team, stranded for hours, was left in difficult conditions, sparking widespread criticism and calls for action from football authorities.
The Super Eagles were on their way to Benghazi for an important qualifying match when their journey took an unexpected turn. The chartered flight carrying the team was suddenly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport not typically used for major flights, but rather for religious pilgrimages like hajj. Unfortunately, upon arrival, the team found themselves stranded without basic necessities.
For more than 12 hours, the Nigerian footballers and their coaching staff were left at the airport without food, water, or internet access. The Libyan Football Federation reportedly failed to organize any form of transportation or support for the stranded team, further worsening the situation.
Victor Osimhen, one of Nigeria’s top players, did not hide his displeasure. In a post on Monday, he described the situation as “inhumane.”
Osimhen voiced his concerns about how poorly the Super Eagles were treated and urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take immediate action.
“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,” he said.
He also made a strong appeal to CAF and other football bodies to intervene and ensure such situations are avoided in the future. “We stand together, stronger than ever,” Osimhen added.
Stanley Nwabali, the team’s goalkeeper, echoed similar sentiments. He posted on social media, revealing that the Super Eagles had been stranded for over 14 hours at the airport. According to him, the conditions were unbearable. “No food, no water, no internet access — this is absolutely crazy!” he wrote, tagging CAF and urging them to take action.
Another Nigerian player, Victor Boniface, also expressed his frustration on social media. “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. Africa, we can do better,” he tweeted.