By Akinwale Kasali
Players and officials of Nigeria’s Super Eagles finally arrived Nigeria through the Aminu Kano International Airport, Monday night.
The players and the officials arrived home tired after enduring over 13 hours of cruelty in the hands of Libyans at the Al Abaq Airport, Libya. They had been stranded at the Airport since Sunday night after their flight was inexplicably diverted to that Airport. On arrival there, it was like a hostage situation.
In protest, and given the ordeal – physically and emotionally suffered by the players and officials, Nigeria took the wise decision to call off the match with Libya. It thereafter sent an aircraft to bring the players and officials back to Nigeria.
The match was billed for Tuesday as the second leg of 2025 qualifiers for AFCON.
Nigeria has lodged a complaint to CAF which has started an investigation into the sad incident.
However, the Libyan Football Federation, LFF, has denied involvement in the inhumane treatment meted out to Nigeria’s Super Eagles in their country.
The LFF in a statement on Monday, 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 (former Twitter) 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.
“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.”
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Share your story or advertise with us: WhatsApp: +2348174884527, Email: [email protected]
