In response to the Super Eagles’ travel challenges, the Libya Football Federation has issued a statement, emphasizing their commitment to resolving the issues.
The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has responded to the recent difficulties encountered by Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who were left stranded in Libya for more than 14 hours before their AFCON 2025 Qualifier match.
According to OBASANJONEWS, the Nigerian team faced travel difficulties when their flight to Benghazi, Libya was redirected just an hour prior to landing.
The team had originally traveled on a chartered flight from Nigeria on Sunday, gearing up for the return leg of the qualifier after their victory over Libya in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday.
The flight was rerouted to land at Al Abraq International Airport, primarily utilized for hajj operations, instead of reaching its intended destination.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) arranged for alternative travel plans by road to get the Super Eagles to the match venue. Unfortunately, their journey faced additional delays when the chartered bus was not allowed access to the airport.
The Super Eagles, frustrated by logistical setbacks and the lack of support from Libyan Football Federation officials, reportedly chose to forgo the match and return home.
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In light of the situation, the LFF issued a statement on Monday morning denying allegations that there was any intentional attempt to impede the Nigerian team’s preparations. The federation emphasized that the incident was not a deliberate effort to obstruct the Super Eagles and assured they are taking steps to resolve it.
We are highly alarmed by the recent reports regarding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight before their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, but please be aware that these incidents can result from standard air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges impacting international travel.
These are standard procedures at airports across the globe, and while delays or rerouting can be unfortunate, they are not unusual. We have profound respect for our Nigerian counterparts and wish to assure them that their flight’s diversion was unintentional.
There is no basis to claim that the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation intentionally caused this incident. Such actions do not align with our values and principles.
We strongly deny any allegations of foul play or sabotage in this matter. It’s important to note that just last week, our national team encountered considerable difficulties when we arrived in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Although we faced challenges, we refrained from making public accusations or questioning the integrity of the Nigerian authorities. Football fundamentally brings nations together, and we are dedicated to maintaining fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field.
In Libya, we take great pride in our hospitality and welcoming spirit. We have consistently prioritized treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers and international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve.
We are deeply honored to host these events and are dedicated to making sure all teams feel safe and respected during their stay with us. Our commitment to equality and hospitality is fundamental to our culture and tradition.
We trust that this misunderstanding can be resolved through understanding and goodwill. We warmly welcome our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, as we remain committed to fostering unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football.
The statement from LFF contradicts the position of the Federal Government on this issue.
On Monday morning, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar tweeted that the Nigerian Mission’s trip to Bayda City was not authorized by Libyan authorities.
In a post on X, it was stated, “I have been keeping a close eye on the Super Eagles’ situation in Libya. Ambassador Stephen Anthony Awuru, leading the Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, has stayed in touch with both the NFF and Libyan officials since last night. Despite efforts made so far, the Libyan authorities have not yet approved travel for our mission to Bayda City where Al Abraq airport is situated.”
