Ndidi and the Nigeria squad were locked in a deserted airport for more than 15 hours without food or water this week, during which the midfielder said he was ‘scared for our lives’
Wilfred Ndidi is physically and mentally well after his Libyan airport ordeal and is ready to play for Leicester City at Southampton.
Ndidi and the Nigeria squad were held in what the midfielder described as a “hostage” situation this week when their plane headed for Benghazi was diverted to a deserted airport, where they were then locked in for more than 15 hours with no food or water. Midway through the incident, Ndidi posted to social media: “This is becoming scary. I’m scared for our lives.”
Eventually able to leave, the team decided to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya and instead flew back to Nigeria. Since then, Ndidi has returned to City and took part in training on Wednesday.
Manager Steve Cooper said the club were in contact with Ndidi while he was stuck at the airport, and that they’ve ensured he is mentally as well as physically able to return to action. He will be expected to start on the south coast on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
“He’s fine, and that’s the most important thing,” Cooper said at his press conference on Thursday. “He’s back with us and he’s safe and well.
“We were in close contact with him throughout the situation they found themselves in. He kept us updated. I know there was a bit of a wifi issue at times, so maybe it wasn’t as regular as anybody would have liked. Everyone was in contact, myself included, to make sure he was safe and well.
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