The Nigeria Football Federation said it had begun plans to evacuate Super Eagles players and officials from Libya.
Nigerian football star on-loan to Galatasaray from Inter Milan, has disclosed that he had a similar experience when Nigerian team was left stranded at a Libyan airport ahead of a match in the north African country during his Under-17 days.
SaharaReporters had reported how the team had been stranded for over 13 hours in the North African country after the host country’s authorities disrupted their travel plans.
This made the players withdraw from playing their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya scheduled to hold on Tuesday.
The Nigeria Football Federation said it had begun plans to evacuate Super Eagles players and officials from Libya.
In a statement on Monday, the NFF said the team was still at the Al Abraq Airport.
In the statement titled, ‘Super Eagles still at Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya!’ the NFF detailed the situation.
The statement reads: “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.
“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, said to be 3 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.”
However, Osimhen who was not included in Nigeria’s October international squad due to injury, took to his Instagram story to declare his support for his Nigerian teammates.
He said he could only imagine how terrible they must feel, noting that he had a similar experience during his Under-17 days.
He 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 and inhumane.
“We stand together, stronger than ever.
"This attempt by Libyan FA is no longer just a delay, it's an intentional tactic to weaken and ruin the morale.
"The safety and well-being of my teammates and all the team staffs are the most important things right now.
"Our captain has said we won't play the match and I fully support that, except if the game is taken to a neutral ground. My brothers 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."
Nigeria’s Super Eagles currently top Group D in their group for the AFCON qualifiers, having picked up seven points from their opening three matches after beating Libya 1-0 at home on Friday night.
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