“No food, no wifi, nowhere to sleep… this is sick” - Victor Boniface hits out after Nigeria players left stranded at Libyan airport

Nigeria forward Victor Boniface has lamented his and Super Eagles teammates' ordeal after they were left stranded at the Al Abraq airport in Libya. The Super Eagles travelled to Libya for the second leg of their African Cup of Nations qualifiers that will take place on Tuesday (October 15). But they faced unexpected delays after they arrived in the North African country, and Victor Boniface decried the situation on social media, saying it’s ‘’sickening.’’

The Nigeria football team left Akwa Ibom, where the first leg was played, for Libya on Sunday morning. But according to Nigerian outlet PUNCH, their aircraft was diverted to another city as it approached its destination, Benghazi.

The diversion left the players stranded and without any reception from the host country. The initial agreement received by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) was of a chartered flight to land in Benghazi.

According to the aforementioned source, the Super Eagles flight was redirected to Al Abraq International Airport, leaving the players stranded for approximately 12 hours. While the Nigerian team would obviously not be happy about the delay, Victor Boniface took to his X account to voice his dissatisfaction with the treatment. He tweeted:

''Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep. African we can do better @caf."

He added:

''Help me call my grandmother say her grandson Dey ok Nah this is sick’.’

Meanwhile, it is important to note that the Libyan players complained of receiving poor treatment when they travelled to Nigeria for the first leg. According to Nigerian outlet THISDAYLIVE, the Mediterranean Knights had their flight redirected to Port Harcourt instead of Akwa Ibom, where the first leg was staged.

Before the match got underway, they complained to the NFF about the poor transportation treatment they were subjected to, but there was no official reaction from the NFF.

Victor Osimhen rallies behind Victor Boniface to lament the poor treatment Nigerian players received in Libya

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has condemned the unwelcoming reception his national teammates received in Libya. Osimhen echoed the sentiments of Victor Boniface as he took to his Instagram story and wrote:

''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. 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 an inhumane. We stand together, stronger than ever.

He added:

''This attempt by Libyan FA is no longer just a delay, it’s an intentional tactic to weaken and ruin the morale of the players, and it’s beginning to look more like a hostage situation. The safety and well-being of my teammates and all the team staffs are the most important things right now. Our captain said he won’t play the match and I fully support that, except if the game is taken to a neutral ground.

''My brother and coaches must return home safely, we are not criminals or prisoners. I can imagine how terrible they must feel right now, as I’ve had a similar experience during my Under-17 days. This is totally unfair and heartbreaking. Again, I call on CAF, The Nigerian Government and other relevant authorities to act swiftly and ensure their safe return’’

Victor Boniface has yet to score a goal since making his debut for the Nigeria national team in 2023.