In a dramatic turn of events, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) is facing intense scrutiny after Nigeria’s Super Eagles were stranded for over 14 hours during their AFCON 2025 Qualifier journey. This distressing incident has raised questions about the treatment of visiting teams in Libya, following Nigeria’s impressive victory against Libya in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to fly to Benghazi for the return leg of the qualifier on Tuesday, but their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted. Instead of landing in Benghazi, the team was forced to touch down at the Al Abraq International Airport, a facility typically reserved for Hajj operations. This sudden change left players and staff grappling with confusion and frustration.
With no representatives from the LFF present at the airport, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) scrambled to arrange for a bus to transport the team to the match venue. However, they faced another hurdle: officials at the airport denied the chartered bus entry, leaving the Super Eagles stranded and without a clear path forward.
In light of these challenges, the Nigerian team expressed their frustration and even contemplated withdrawing from the match altogether, opting to return home instead. This move would not only be a blow to their campaign but could also stir significant controversy in the football community.
The LFF quickly responded, issuing a statement that attempted to deflect blame for the chaos. They cited “routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, and logistical challenges” as factors impacting the flight’s diversion. In a bid to mitigate backlash, they noted that a similar situation occurred during their own travel to Nigeria for the first leg of the match, suggesting that such issues are commonplace in international football travel.
“While we regret any inconvenience caused, these incidents are unfortunate but not uncommon in international air travel,” the statement read. The LFF emphasized their respect for the Nigerian team and rejected any accusations of foul play, asserting that the diversion was purely a matter of logistics and not a deliberate act against Nigeria.
The statement further underscored Libya's commitment to hospitality and respect for visiting teams. “Football unites nations, and we are dedicated to fostering an environment of goodwill and mutual respect,” the LFF declared, hoping to ease tensions and resolve the misunderstanding amicably.
