Nigerian footballer Victor Boniface has expressed his frustration after the Super Eagles team was left stranded at Al Abraq Airport in Libya ahead of their second leg match, coming up on Tuesday, October 15.
On Sunday, October 13, the Super Eagles were en route to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier match with Libya when they were kept hostages. The players and coaching staff were held for over 20 hours due to unclear circumstances, leaving them stranded where players said they lacked provisions and comfort.
Photos capturing the situation emerged online as it showed the drained players looking helpless at the airport. Many of them were seen sleeping on the chair, raising concerns among Nigerians.
The Super Eagles are set to play host Libya in Benghazi city, where they could secure qualification for next year’s finals in Morocco. However, the Nigeria Football Federation reported that their charter flight was diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, 250 km (155 miles) away, without any alternative transport provided.
Photos and video quickly took over the internet space as Nigerians called out right authorities to seek solutions for the stranded Super Eagle players.
Boniface, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, took to his X handle as he revealed that all Super Eagles players are no longer interested in playing the match.
It can be recalled that on Friday October 11, Super Eagles secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Libya in their AFCON 2025 qualifier.
According to Boniface, they don’t care about the scores but will like to return to Nigeria safe and sound.
He wrote, “This is getting scary now. You guys can have the point. We just want to return to our country.”
See the post below:
People shared their thoughts via comment section. Some reactions are shown below:
mz.ammy said, “So Libya get airport,of all countries why Libya make them no sha kidnap una ooo.”
big_striiip said, “😂😂😂😂 ouna come dey suffer wetting ouna country people do 😢.”
ituraoluwa2002 said, “Dragon bawo 😂 those people buru pass country wey understand English 😂.”
@bayer04_en said, “Stay safe, Victor – we’re all thinking of you and your team-mates 🙏.”
@Eli_lifthing6 said, “Make them kuku cancel the match na. Na why I dey like backyard football be this oh.”
@Promiseidode said, “@NigeriaGov @thenff @NigeriaMFA @CAF_Online @INTERPOL_HQ This is becoming too scary …Nothing , I repeat Nothing must happen to our players because Planet Earth won’t contain us all.”
@nihiinn_ said, “nothing must happen to my Alex Iwobi🧏♀️.”
@oluwapundittt said, “They are holding our players hostage, they are not clearing their plane to fly. This is ridiculous.”