By Kayode John
The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has denied accusations of foul play after the Super Eagles have been left stranded at the Al Abraq airport for over 15 hours, since arriving in the country for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The Super Eagles and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) arrived in Libya on Sunday on a private flight scheduled to land in Benghazi, venue of the return leg of the AFCON qualifiers.
However, their plane was redirected to Al Abaq airport, which is three hours drive from the original destination. The team has been held up at the airport since then without access to food, water, wi-fi and accommodation. The inhumane situation has forced Nigeria to pull out of the game.
The football federation denied the accusation of deliberately sabotaging Nigeria ahead of the game on Tuesday.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya,” it wrote on X on Monday.
“While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel.
“These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon.
“We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
“Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities. Football, in its essence, unites nations, and we are committed to upholding the spirit of fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field.
“In Libya, we pride ourselves on our hospitality and our welcoming nature. We have always prioritized treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve.
“Hosting these events is a great honour for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests. This commitment to equality and hospitality is a core aspect of our culture and tradition.
“We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill. Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football.”
Before Friday’s first leg in Uyo, which the Super Eagles won 1-0, Libya captain Faisal Al-Badri had alleged poor treatment by Nigerian authorities and hinted that the Eagles should also have a taste in the return leg.
The North Africans are in the bottom of Group D on one point from three matches, while Nigeria lead the group on seven points after playing the same number of games.
