Nigerian forward Victor Boniface has broken silence over the ordeal of the team after being delayed at the Al Abraq International Airport in Libya for more than 12 hours after landing on Sunday.
The Super Eagles landed in Libya for their qualifier against the host nation, but their chartered ValueJet flight was diverted at the last minute from Benghazi Airport to the smaller Al Abraq International Airport
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The ill-treatment by the Libyan authorities has caused an uproar as the Nigerian team faced unexpected delays in the country for the AFCON 2025 qualifier.
Expressing his frustration on X on Monday, Boniface wrote, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. Africa, we can do better.”
According to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday, the diversion occurred just as the pilot was completing his approach to Benghazi.
The unexpected change left players and officials stranded without any reception or transport from the host Libyan Football Federation, despite arrangements being made.
The team was supposed to be transported to their hotel in Benghazi, approximately three hours away, but the diversion disrupted these plans.
The NFF statement added, “Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, which is said to be three hours away in Benghazi.
“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
