A shocking incident unfolded for Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface when he survived a serious car crash involving a lorry on Sunday morning.
Just hours earlier, the 23-year-old had celebrated scoring a goal in his team’s 2-1 Bundesliga win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Unfortunately, his weekend took a dramatic turn as he faced a collision that resulted in damages estimated at around £167,000.
The Aftermath of the Accident
Following the crash, Boniface took to social media to share a harrowing glimpse of the aftermath.
He posted a video showing the wreckage of his vehicle, alongside a distressing image of his bloodied left hand.
The front right side of his car was completely destroyed.
Thankfully, he later shared a selfie from his hospital bed, expressing gratitude with the caption, “Thank you, Lord.”
Reports indicate he sustained only minor injuries to his hand, according to the German newspaper Bild.
The incident occurred while Boniface was a passenger in a Mercedes heading to pick up friends at Frankfurt airport.
The crash happened around 7 AM local time when the driver lost control, skidded into the truck, and overturned.
A Frustrating Week for the Nigerian Team
This distressing event came on the heels of a frustrating experience for Boniface and his Nigerian teammates, who were stranded at an airport for over half a day without food or drink.
Their scheduled match against Libya was called off after the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) decided to boycott the game.
Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi even remarked that the players felt “held hostage” during their ordeal.
Reports surfaced that Nigeria’s chartered flight, intended for Benghazi, was diverted to Al-Abraq Airport by the Libyan government while in transit.
This unexpected change left the team stuck at the airport, about three hours away from their destination, for hours without assistance.
NFF’s Statement on the Crisis
The NFF released a statement revealing that the team had remained at Al-Abraq Airport for 12 hours after landing in Libya.
They reported that the aircraft was dangerously diverted just as it was about to land in Benghazi.
The NFF claimed the Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or transportation for the delegation, leaving them stranded.
Captain William Troost-Ekong shared his frustrations on social media, detailing their dire circumstances at the airport: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted… They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.”
Outcry from Nigerian Players
Other players voiced their concerns about the treatment they received during this time.
Ndidi expressed his embarrassment at the situation, stating, “This is not football. Very embarrassing. Hostage to a national team. Disgrace.”
Boniface added his own frustrations, lamenting, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi nowhere to sleep. Africa we can do better.”
Even Victor Osimhen, who was not part of the squad, weighed in on the situation, voicing his disappointment over the unfair treatment faced by his teammates.
He called for intervention from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), labeling the situation “uncalled for and inhumane.”
Decision to Boycott the Match
In light of these events, Troost-Ekong announced that the team had collectively decided to boycott the match in protest of their treatment.
He shared his experiences, highlighting the unprofessional behavior they encountered and the lack of support from the Libyan authorities.
“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behavior,” he stated.
Troost-Ekong emphasized their unwillingness to compromise their safety, insisting that they would not accept any further mistreatment.
His remarks highlighted a broader concern for the dignity and respect expected in international football.
Libya’s Response and the NFF’s Defense
Libya’s team captain Faisal Al-Badri had previously complained about the treatment his team received during their visit to Nigeria, but the NFF refuted these claims.
The NFF’s Assistant Director, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, countered the allegations, stating they only received short notice about Libya’s arrival and made all necessary arrangements for their reception.
As tensions rise between the two nations’ football associations, it remains uncertain how the situation will unfold following the postponement of the match.
The fallout from this incident highlights significant challenges in international sports diplomacy and the treatment of players during such events.
Mine Crypto. Earn $GOATS while it is free! Click Here!!
Telegram Airdrops: Crypto Giveaway
Join CryptoFiat Giveaway for free USDT giveaways and other opportunities!