Nightmarish Ordeal in Libya: Super Eagles Coach Describes Team’s 18-20 Hour Holdup
In a shocking development, the Nigerian Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights was abruptly cancelled after the team was held hostage at an abandoned airport in Libya. According to the caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen, the ordeal was a "horrible 18-20 hour experience" that no one wants to relive.
The team was initially scheduled to play the match, but they were allegedly denied access to water and food, leaving them stranded at the airport for more than 18 hours. Eguavoen described the situation as "a horrible ordeal" and expressed his disapproval of the treatment his team received. "Thanks to the Libyans for letting us go, but it was a horrible 18-20 hours of experience and we don’t want to go through that again," he said.
The Super Eagles eventually pulled out of the game and returned to Nigeria on Monday evening, ending the unfortunate episode. Coach Eguavoen stressed that his team would not have been able to perform under the circumstances. "We were held hostage, we could not have played this match under these circumstances. We know how football can unite the entire world, but in this regard, for them to act like this, I cannot comprehend seriously," he added.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and treatment of athletes in international competitions. As the world of football continues to unite people across borders, this experience serves as a harsh reminder of the challenges faced by teams when dealing with uncertain and often difficult circumstances.
