Victor Osimhen, the star of the Nigerian national team, announced his solidarity with his teammates stranded at <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2024/10/12-hours-at-the-airport-without-food-or-drink-the-nigerian-national-team-stands-up-and-will-not-play-in-libya/" title="12 hours at the airport without food or drink: the Nigerian national team stands up and will not play in Libya“>Al-Abraq Airport in the city of Al-Bayda in Libya, before facing Libya and Nigeria in the fourth round of the fourth group of qualifiers for the Morocco 2025 Nations Cup.
Osimhen wrote on his Instagram account: “I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my colleagues faced at the Libya airport. Such actions go against the spirit of sportsmanship. I support my team and know that they will remain strong despite all the obstacles.”
The Galatasaray striker pleaded for help: “I call on the Confederation of African Football and football officials to intervene as my teammates and officials are still stuck at the Libyan airport, and this is inhumane. We stand together stronger than ever.”
Top scorer in the Italian League in the 2022-2023 season with Napoli. He joined Turkish Galatasaray last summer.
Osimhen is absent from Nigeria’s roster due to the injury he suffered during Galatasaray’s match against Kasimpasa in the Turkish League.
The Nigerian national team delegation is still stuck at Al-Abraq Airport in the city of Al-Bayda in Libya due to the suspension of the airport’s passport system, according to Libyan reports.
William Troost-Ekong, captain of the Nigerian national team, announced that his team would not play the match against Libya: “We asked the Nigerian government to intervene, and as captain of the team we decided not to play this match.” See the details here.
This comes after the Libyan national team delegation was subjected to harassment in Nigeria before playing the third round match, and a long inspection during the trip, in addition to the absence of a police patrol accompanying the delegation. Libyan leader Faisal Al-Badri also stated that the players were transported via non-air-conditioned buses and cars from the Libyan embassy transported them via non-air-conditioned roads. Safe and forested, the journey took five hours in difficult conditions in Nigeria.
Nigeria achieved victory over Libya with a fatal goal in the 86th minute in the third round, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, thanks to a late goal from Fisayo Bashiru.
The fourth round match is scheduled for Tuesday at the February Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi.
The Nigerian national team occupies the lead in Group D with 7 points, followed by Benin with 6 points, Rwanda in third place with two points, and finally Libya with one point.
