“A hostage situation”

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has spoken up about the ill-treatment that Libya have meted to his teammates ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers clash on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The past 15 hours have been sore for the Super Eagles players and staff who traveled to Libya for the return leg of their 2025 AFCON clash.

Following a day of rest after the first installment of their AFCON qualifier last week, the Super Eagles left Nigeria for Libya on Sunday. Normally, a flight from Uyo to Benghazi would take three-four hours.

However, as at the time of this report, the team has spent more than half a day on the road due to Libya’s shenanigans. The Super Eagles were enroute Benghazi on Sunday, but their flight was abruptly diverted just when they entered Libyan territory.

They were then taken to a deserted airport and locked up for over 13 hours. Obviously, it is a case of mind games, as a lot a team in Africa do it.

This issue has attracted a lot of interest, and Super Eagles players have even taken to social media to complain about the problem.

Meanwhile, Osimhen, who is not currently with the squad has taken to social media to share his thoughts about the team’s current ordeal.

“I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches faced at the Libyan 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,” Osimhen said on Instagram.

“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 the Libyan FA is no longer, it’s an intentional tactic to weaken and ruin the morale of the players and it is beginning to look like a hostage situation”

As it stands, the captain of the team William Troost-Ekong has threatened to pull out of the game. There is a possibility that the fixture will not hold on Tuesday as planned.