The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has made it clear that the country’s decision to divert the Nigerian Super Eagles’ flight during their recent trip must be respected. This comes amid growing concerns and tensions following the cancellation of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifier between Nigeria and Libya.
The match, which was set to take place as part of the AFCON qualifiers, was called off after the Nigerian team refused to play. The refusal followed a troubling situation in which the team’s plane was unexpectedly diverted to Labraq Airport, instead of the planned destination. The Super Eagles were reportedly held at the airport for 18 hours without food or water, an ordeal that shocked many.
As reported by Libya Al-Ahrar Channel, Nasser Al-Suwaie, the Secretary-General of the Libyan Football Federation, confirmed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has intervened, requesting both the Libyan and Nigerian football authorities to submit documents related to the incident. CAF has given a deadline of the 20th of this month for both parties to provide their evidence regarding the matter.
In his statement, Al-Suwaie emphasized that the Libyan Football Federation was not responsible for the decision to divert the flight to Labraq Airport. He clarified that the decision was made by the Libyan government for reasons not fully explained. Al-Suwaie stressed, “the country’s sovereignty must be respected,” suggesting that the diversion was a matter of national authority, not one controlled by the LFF.
In response to the situation, the Libyan Federation has reportedly hired a specialized lawyer to collect and present evidence in their defense. Al-Suwaie also hinted that there might be internal issues within CAF, suggesting possible collusion from some officials in the organization, but he remained confident that the Libyan Federation’s stance was firm.
Meanwhile, after returning to Nigeria, the Super Eagles shared troubling accounts of their experience at Labraq Airport. Team manager Patrick Pascal spoke out about the harsh conditions, revealing that the players had no choice but to sleep on the cold, bare floor. He also claimed that Libyan officials deliberately made the toilets unusable, worsening the situation for the team.
