Spanish LaLiga club Sevilla has celebrated the safe return of their Nigerian forwards, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke, following a harrowing 20-hour hostage situation in Libya during the international break. The players, both recently signed by Sevilla, were part of Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad when the team was held hostage in Libya ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Qualifier match.
The incident occurred when the Nigerian national team, en route to their fourth-round AFCON qualifier, was diverted to an abandoned airport in Benghazi by Libyan authorities, leading to an unexpected 20-hour ordeal.
Sevilla took to social media on Wednesday to express their relief and joy at the safe return of their players. In a post on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, the club stated, “The Super Eagles have landed! Welcome back guys!”, emphasizing their concern for the players’ well-being and the club’s happiness at their return.
The ordeal has raised serious concerns about the safety and logistics of international football, particularly in regions with security risks. Nigerian defender Leon Balogun has called for immediate action from football’s governing bodies to prevent such situations from recurring.
As the players settle back in Seville, attention will turn to their LaLiga campaign. However, the psychological impact of the incident may linger, and Sevilla is expected to provide support to help Iheanacho and Ejuke readjust after their distressing experience.
