Libya:We had no food, nowhere to sleep- Boniface laments

PUNCH

Nigerian forward Victor Boniface has spoken out about the Super Eagles’ ordeal after being stranded for 12 hours at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.

The Nigerian team, in the country for a crucial AFCON 2025 qualifier, faced unexpected delays after landing on Sunday.

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 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, which is typically reserved for Hajj operations.

According to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday, this 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.”

THIS STORY FIRST APPEARED IN PUNCH