Premier League stars hungry and thirsty at airport over 12 hours

The Nigeria squad were stranded for over 12 hours without food or water, while participating in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

The Super Eagles players and staff flew out to Libya on Sunday night but were diverted to the Al Abraq Airport instead of their original destination of Benghazi Airport, which is over 200km and three and a half hours away from where they were staying.

Many stars of the Nigerian national team, including players playing in the Premier League (Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Taiwo Awoniyi), angrily said that they were left hungry and thirsty in a deserted airport for 12 hours.

12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024

“This is not football. It’s a disgrace. Being held hostage by the national team. It’s humiliating,” Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi said angrily.

Similar to Wilfred Ndidi, Leverkusen star Victor Boniface also angrily said: “Stayed at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food, no water, no place to sleep. Can our Africa do better?”.

“They locked the airport gates, cut off the internet, no food or drinks. It was like a mind game,” former Tottenham defender William Troost-Ekong expressed his displeasure.

Nigeria were due to play Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday night, but the Super Eagles have said they are making plans to fly back home instead of playing the fixture.

Look at the conditions Super Eagles players are SUBJECTED to in Libya for over 16 hours.

This is sad. 😭😭😭

Photos by Ekong. pic.twitter.com/Yym5nxOXsb

— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) October 14, 2024