KATHMANDU: The Nepal U-23 football team, which had traveled to Tajikistan for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, was forced to spend the night at the airport after being unable to return home due to the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport amid ongoing Gen Z protests in Nepal.

The team was scheduled to return on Wednesday night, but all flights were canceled as the airport remained closed for security reasons.

According to team members, most hotels in Dushanbe were fully booked, making last-minute accommodation difficult. As a result, the players had to spend the night at the airport.

After the overnight stay, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) arranged hotel accommodation for the team the following morning.

The team is now staying at a hotel near the training ground of FC Istiklol, ANFA confirmed.