“We are held hostage” – Nantes star Moses Simon slams Libya’s hostile hospitality towards Super Eagles

Nantes winger Moses Simon has taken to social media to condemn the conditions the Super Eagles are witnessing in Libya, describing the experience as akin to being ‘held hostage’, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have found themselves in a distressing situation after being stranded at Libya’s Al Abraq Airport for 15 hours, just hours before their crucial AFCON qualifier.

The Super Eagles, fresh off a 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo, were scheduled to face the Mediterranean Knights in the return leg on Tuesday, October 15, at the Benina Stadium in Benghazi.

However, their chartered ValueJet flight, just an hour before landing, was unexpectedly diverted to the Al Abraq Airport. Al Abraq Airport is more than two hours away from their intended destination.

Moses Simon expressed his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), posting pictures of players lounging in what appeared to be a refugee camp setting.

“Super Eagles weathering the situation in Libya as we are held hostage,” he wrote, shedding light on the dire circumstances.

Super Eagles weathering the situation in Libya as we are held hostage 🤦🏾‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/gAt2lnCSLq

— MSimon27 (M.O.N) (@Simon27Moses) October 14, 2024
Other players also voiced their displeasure. Fenerbahce fullback Bright Osayi-Samuel reached out to CAF, stating,

“I’ve been stuck in a random Libyan airport for 15 hours with no guarantee of health & safety… We can do better.”

I’ve been stuck in a random Libyan airport for 15 hours with no guarantee health & safety…
We can do better @caf

— Bright Osayi-Samuel (@Bright_097) October 14, 2024
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface tried to keep spirits up, humorously tweeting:

“Help me call my grandmother, say her grandson Dey ok. Nah, this is sick.”

Help me call my grand mother say her grandson Dey ok

Nah this is sick

— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) October 14, 2024
Nigeria currently tops Group D with seven points, while Libya lingers at the bottom.

Despite their frustrations, the Super Eagles remain focused on securing their spot at AFCON 2025.