Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi claims the Nigerian national football team is trapped in Libya after their flight was diverted to a closed airport, leading to them being held for over twelve hours without food or water. This situation has prompted the team to boycott their upcoming match against Libya amidst allegations of sabotage by Libyan authorities following alleged hostile treatment in a prior fixture.
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has reported that he and his Nigerian teammates are stranded in Libya, having been metaphorically held hostage at Al-Abraq airport. This situation arose after their flight, en route to Benghazi for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, was unexpectedly diverted to a closed airport, leaving the players marooned without sustenance or access to basic facilities for over twelve hours. The refusal of the Libyan government to allow the team to land in Benghazi, coupled with the lack of food and water, has led the Nigerian team to express serious concerns about the possibility of intentional sabotage following their previous match, where they experienced “hostile treatment.” Consequently, the Nigerian team has opted to boycott the upcoming fixture, citing their confinement within the airport as an untenable situation. On social media, Ndidi voiced his frustration: “This is not football. Very embarrassing. Hostage to a national team. Disgrace.” Other players, like Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen, echoed these sentiments on Twitter, stating: “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi nowhere to sleep African we can do better.” Furthermore, former Watford player William Troost-Ekong detailed the ordeal in a thread on X, emphasizing the distressing conditions faced by the Nigerian players and their crew, who have been denied basic amenities and communication access. He underscored the necessity for intervention from the Nigerian government and declared, “As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game.” He condemned the situation as disgraceful and implored governing body CAF to address the behavior exhibited by the Libyan authorities. Overall, the predicament highlights significant issues surrounding the treatment of national teams in international fixtures, drawing attention to the urgent need for resolutions to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The current incident involving the Nigerian national team reflects a broader concern regarding the treatment of athletes in international competition, particularly in certain regions where political tensions may influence sporting events. Libyan authorities have previously been accused of unfavorable management of foreign teams, leading to scrutiny over their commitment to fair play and the safety of visiting players. The situation with the Nigerian team further emphasizes the necessity for robust intervention strategies by footballing governing bodies to safeguard athletes when traveling abroad.
The Nigerian national team’s experience in Libya serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can occur in international sports, particularly when there is a lack of respect for the competing teams’ welfare. As these players continue to advocate for their basic rights, it is imperative that governing bodies, including the Confederation of African Football, take decisive actions to ensure safer conditions for all teams participating in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and beyond. The Nigerian team’s decision to boycott the upcoming match embodies their resolve to uphold dignity and respect in sports.
Original Source: www.mirror.co.uk
