The Libya Football Federation, (LFF), has responded to the alleged maltreatment of the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles, rather blaming routine air traffic control protocols and other logistical challenges for the delay at Al Abraq Airport
It ruled out any complicity by its football association of the harrowing experience of the Nigerian players for over 12 hours at the country’s Al Abraq Airport.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles had pulled out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, even as reports have it that the Super Eagles are on their way back to the country..
This is even as the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has yet to comment on the Super Eagles’ ordeal with Libyan authorities.
The team was stranded at the airport for 13 hours en route to their match with the Mediterranean Knights.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier was supposed to take place Tuesday in Libya. But the Nigerian players and officials were left stranded at the Al Abraq Airport in the North African country. Their flight was meant to land at the Benghazi Airport but was rerouted.
The frustrating 13-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team has been stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon had subjected the players to mental torture even as it was alleged in some quarters that the action was a ‘mental game’ so as to impact negatively on Nigerian players’ performance on Tuesday.
However, NFF in a statement said, “Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.”
Responding to the allegation, through a statement issued on Monday, LFF cited routine air traffic control protocols, security checks and logistical challenges as factors that can affect air travel.
They also claimed that a similar incident happened when their players travelled to Uyo, Nigeria, for the first leg of the fixture.
The statement released on X read: “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.
“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.
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“Hosting these events is a great honor 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.”
However, photos and videos of the players and officers sleeping on benches at the airport with their luggage littered on the floor made headlines early Monday as the players said they were without food and access to the internet during the 13 hours.
The development triggered an outrage from Nigerians. Despite the condemnations, CAF is yet to comment on the matter as of now.
Irked by the treatment meted out to the Nigerian contingent, the Federal Government condemned the situation and likened it to hostage-taking.
The Minister of Sports Development John Enoh has escalated the matter to relevant authorities.
“All through the night, I have escalated the matter and involved all necessary authorities. From the Foreign Affairs Minister, the National Security Adviser, the DG NIA, Amaju Pinnick, our CAF Executive member. I have also remained in touch with both the president of the NFF, who is on the ground with the team, and the Chairman of Value Jet, owners of the plane that airlifted the team to Libya,” he said.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, towed a similar line as the minister and condemned the incident.
She called on CAF to intervene in the inhumane action meted out to the senior national team in Libya.