Sevilla manager, Garcia Pimienta, has disclosed that Nigerian stars Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho returned to the club in good health despite the terrifying experience they went through at a Libyan airport. T
he two players were part of the Super Eagles squad that got stuck in Libya for hours under hostile conditions earlier in the week.
Ejuke and Iheanacho, alongside their Nigerian teammates, were left stranded at the airport, denied food and water by the Libyan authorities.
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The situation was so bad that the players decided not to play their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya in protest of the incident.
The ordeal shocked fans, with many calling for better protection for players during international duties.
Garcia Pimienta Speaks on Ejuke and Iheanacho
Speaking on the situation during a press conference, Pimienta expressed his displeasure at the way professional footballers were treated.
“It’s very unpleasant to see players having to endure such conditions. Professional athletes being forced to stay in an airport for such a long time, without access to food or proper rest, is unacceptable,” he said.
Thankfully, the Sevilla manager confirmed that both Ejuke and Iheanacho arrived back at the club in perfect condition despite the ordeal. Sevilla will need their full strength as they prepare to face Barcelona at Camp Nou, a place where they haven’t secured a win in over 21 years. The players’ return will boost the squad’s morale as they gear up for the big match.
