'We hope Victor will return safely' - Leverkusen chief confirms contact with Super Eagles striker Boniface

Bayer Leverkusen's director of licensing Thomas Eichin has confirmed that the Bundesliga champions are in contact with Victor Boniface after the Super Eagles were forced to pull out of Tuesday evening's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya's Mediterranean Knights due to unfortunate circumstances.

The three-time African champions are currently on their way back to Nigeria after suffering persecution from the Libyan authorities.

Boniface and Augsburg midfielder Frank Onyeka are the two German Bundesliga players named in Nigeria's 23-man squad for the October internationals against Libya.

The Nigeria players and officials were stranded at La Abraq Airport the day before the international match in Benghazi, more than 200 kilometers away from the match venue. 

It caused the Nigerian government and Confederation of African Football to get involved, with the Super Eagles players describing it as a hostage situation.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong posted online several photos of the national team players after their plane was unexpectedly diverted to La Abraq Airport which is more than two hours away from where the game was scheduled to be played in Benghazi.

The Super Eagles players were initially left at a remote location with no food, drink or access to internet.

The Nigeria Football Federation have insisted that they did not give unfavorable treatment to the Libyan delegation when they visited Uyo last week for the reverse fixture. 

"We are informed and are in contact with our player. We hope that the situation will be cleared up quickly and that Victor will return safely," Thomas Eichin told BILD.

Boniface started the Super Eagles' 1-0 win over Libya at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium last Friday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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