Victor Osimhen has called out the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after Nigeria’s squad were left stranded at Libya airport ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Osimhen Calls The Way The Nigerian Teamates Was Treated “INHUMANE.”
The on-loan Galatasaray star was not included in Nigeria’s October international squad due to injury, but his team-mates were left stranded in Libya for over 12 hours.
On October 15, the Super Eagles were scheduled to play Libya in an AFCON qualifier. However, it has been reported that they withdrew from the match after becoming stranded at the airport without any food, water, or phone service.
Additionally, the airport gates were locked, trapping the Nigerian squad inside the Libyan airport.In a thread on X (previously known as Twitter), Captain William Troost-Ekong described the appalling treatment the Nigerian team received. As a result of the incident, the Libyan government and CAF faced harsh criticism.Osimhen used Instagram to express his support for his teammates in Nigeria and to call for action.
What statement has Victor Osimhen made?
“I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches are facing at the Libya airport last night,” Osimhen wrote on Instagram Stories.Such behaviour is contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship. My team has my support, and I have no doubt that they will persevere in the face of these challenges.I want the CAF and other football organisations to step in, since officials and teammates are still stuck at the Libyan airport. It is cruel and unnecessary to do this. “We stand together, stronger than ever.”
“This attempt by Libyan FA is no longer just a delay, it is an intentional tactic to weaken and ruin the morale,” stated Osimhen in a follow-up message.Right now, the most important things are my teammates’ safety and well-being as well as the safety of the entire team staff.
“With the exception of moving the game to a neutral venue, I completely support our captain’s decision to forfeit the game. We are not criminals or prisoners, so my brothers and coaches need to get home safely.”Since I experienced something similar back in my Under-17 days, I can only imagine how awful they must be feeling right now.
“This is so heartbreaking and unfair. Once more, I demand that the CAF, the Nigerian government, and other pertinent authorities move quickly to guarantee their safe return.”Nigeria has won seven points from their first three games to take the lead in Group D of the AFCON qualifying tournament.Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s goal in the 86th minute helped them defeat Libya 1-0 at home on Friday night. However, Troost-Ekong has announced that Nigeria will not play the rematch because of what happened to them at the Libyan airport.