Premier League stars ‘locked in abandoned airport for 12 hours without food and water’ as they slam ‘disgraceful’ Libya
NIGERIA'S football team were held "hostage" in a locked abandoned airport for more than 12 hours with no access to food, drink and phone connections.
The Super Eagles are due to play Libya in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier tomorrow night.
However, their chartered flight was diverted during the descent in chaotic and worrying scenes.
And now Nigeria are set to refuse to play in the match in protest at the awful treatment which it is claimed lasted more than 12 hours.
The stranded squad is understood to include Premier League stars Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Taiwo Awoniyi - plus ex-Leicester pair Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Ndidi fumed: "This is not football. Very embarrassing. Hostage to a national team. Disgrace."
Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface added: "Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food no wifi nowhere to sleep. Africa we can do better."
Former Tottenham and Watford defender William Troost-Ekong - the Nigerian captain - updated fans with the shocking ordeal on X.
He wrote: "12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.
"They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
"I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour.
"Even the Tunisian pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.
"Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction.
"He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.
"At this point, we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us.
"As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game.
"CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, let them have the points.
"We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe.
"We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued.
"We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria.
"Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with international football."
Victor Osimhen is not with the squad but also hit out at the treatment of his team-mates.
He wrote on Instagram: "I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches are facing at the Libya 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.
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"I call on CAF (Confederation of African Football) to intervene, as my team-mates and officials are still stranded at the airport in Libya.
"This is uncalled for and inhumane. We stand together, stronger than ever."
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