BONIFACE LAMENTS ORDEAL OF TEAM IN LIBYA SAYS NO FOOD, NOWHERE TO SLEEP

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After being delayed at the Al Abraq International Airport in Libya for nearly 12 hours after landing on Sunday, Nigerian forward Victor Boniface has spoken out about the team’s predicament.

The Super Eagles’ ValueJet charter flight was abruptly rerouted from Benghazi Airport to the smaller Al Abraq International Airport in Libya for their qualifier versus the host country.

The Nigerian team’s unanticipated delays in Libya for the AFCON 2025 qualification have sparked outrage over the mistreatment by the country’s officials.

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.”

The detour happened as the pilot was finishing his approach to Benghazi, the Nigeria Football Federation said in a statement on Monday.

Despite preparations, the sudden shift left officials and players stranded without any transportation or welcome from the host Libyan Football Federation.

The distraction interfered with the team’s intentions to be taken to their accommodation in Benghazi, which was about three hours away.

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.”