After hostage situation, Sevilla hoping Iheanacho, Ejuke will resume training on Thursday pre-Barcelona

Sevilla are hoping Nigeria internationals Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke will resume training on Thursday, October 17 ahead of their La Liga clash against Barcelona, Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo is reporting.

Ejuke and Iheanacho returned to Nigeria on Monday evening after what has been described as a hostage situation by the players.

The Nigeria national team travelled to Libya for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match that was due to hold in Benghazi, but instead of reaching the venue of the game, their flight was diverted to a smaller airport in Al Abraq, a distance of around 150 miles. 

Iheanacho, Ejuke and their international teammates were left stranded at the airport for more than sixteen hours until the Nigerian government stepped in and arranged for the players and officials to return to Abuja.

The matter has escalated to the extent that the Nigerian government summoned Libya's Charge d'Affairs in Nigeria to know exactly why the Super Eagles players were left stranded at the airport and for that long.

The Super Eagles players boycotted the match due to the mistreatment but Libya continued to stand its ground, claiming that the delay was unintentional. 

Libya's ill-treatment of the Nigeria delegation was strange because politically there are no differences between the two countries and in terms of football rivalry, there is a stark difference between the two sides.

According to the Barcelona-based Spanish newspaper, Sevilla tried to arrange flights for Iheanacho and Ejuke so that they could reach the Andalusian capital as soon as possible via several stopovers.

Ejuke has established himself as a key player for Sevilla since his summer move from CSKA Moscow, and was named the club's Player of the Month for September.

The former Liverpool trialist is the stat leader when it comes to successful dribbles in La Liga, and has a goal in eight appearances in the division, five of which he started. 

Sevilla will battle La Liga table toppers Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday evening.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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