Libya’s wrong flight destination catalysed Eagles’ mistreatment as CAF vows to investigate the matter.
Over the weekend, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA were thrown into shock as the report of mistreatment of Nigeria’s National Team shook the internet.
Super Eagles of Nigeria made their return from Lydia hours earlier than expected due to the obnoxious and unwelcoming reception they were greeted with at the airport.
Various news outlets reported that the Super Eagles became stranded in Libya for more than sixteen hours after the diversion of their flight.
The second leg of the African Nations Cup 2025 (AFCON) was scheduled to be held on Tuesday in Benghazi, Libya, following the first leg played on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria which Nigeria won.
Narratives:
Before the second-leg match, the plane conveying the Nigerian national team was scheduled to land at Benina International Airport−where the visitors were expected to access Benghazi, the host city of the match.
However, the flight was diverted to another destination, Al Abraq, an International Airport used only for Hajj.
Arriving at the Al Abraq International Airport, the officials Libyan Football Federation (LFF) were not seen on the ground to welcome and hospitalise the officials and players of the Nigerian national team according to the established protocol.
Libya’s Wrong Flight Destination Catalysed Eagles’ Mistreatment
Arrangements were then put in place by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to convey the Super Eagles to the Benghazi, match venue, by road but the airport officials denied them access to the provided bus−
a situation which left them stranded and helpless for more than sixteen hours.
Initially, Nigerian officials felt they had everything under control but the situation grew worse when pictures and video clips of the Super Eagles’ players circulated on the internet.
One of the short clips aired by NFF TV depicted Nigerian officials engaging Al Abraq International Airport staff in discussion and rapport on how to fix the issues.
In the video, the players were also filmed, as dejected, let down and weary.
Horrifyingly, the super eagles were stranded all through the night at the airport in discomfort and total disarray.
Libya’s Wrong Flight Destination Catalysed Eagles’ Mistreatment
Reports On “No Food, No Access To The Internet”
Photo Credit: Punch NG
According to one of the Super Eagles’ attackers, Victor Boniface, in a tweet on X, “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no Wi-Fi, nowhere to sleep. African we can do better @CAF.”
The NFF reactively stated to inform the general populace that the players had decided against proceeding with the game.
“The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and dangerously, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.
We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.
“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.
The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.
“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”
LIBYA REFUTES ANY ALLEGATION OF MISAPPROPRIATION
While expressing remorse over the ill development, of the Libya Football Federation it was not right to assume that it was a deliberate ploy to unsettle the Nigerian team.
The Libyan FA noted that their players also went through a similar occurrence while visiting Nigeria for the first leg but refused to accuse the Nigerian FA.
“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,” LFF said in a statement.
Howbeit, according to Libyaroday24 in a tweet via its verified handle on X, a platform known to focus on reliable information about the North African country, proved that Libya’s FA assertion was wrong the super eagles were deliberately frustrated.
“By the principle of reciprocity, the appointed government has redirected the Nigerian national team’s flight to land at Al Abraq Airport in Al Bayda, instead of Benina Airport.
They will then travel by bus to Benghazi,” read the tweet, which was posted on Sunday night.
Libya’s Wrong Flight Destination Catalysed Eagles’ Mistreatment
Genesis Of The Whole Issue
Prior to the first-leg trip to Nigeria, the Nigerian football federation had put in place a preparation for the match to be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
For personal reasons, the Libyan counterparts decided to have a flight-stop at Port Harcourt International Airport and made a trip by land to Uyo.
It was reported that the Libyan teams also rejected the bus offer made to them by Nigerian officials.
Faisal Al-Badri, the skipper of the Libyan national team, claimed that their team was inhumanely and poorly treated by Nigeria heading into the game which they lost 1-0 to Nigeria, and demanded “retaliation.’
Reacting to the claim by the skipper, Ademola Olajire, the Nigerian Football Federation, rebuffed the claim and disclosed that the Mediterranean Knights of Libya hid their travel plans from the NFF after their arrival had been scheduled to take place in Uyo.
“We assumed correctly that the team would be landing in Uyo because the Benin Republic team that came last month landed in Uyo. It was an hour after they had been airborne and due to land in three hours, we were told that they were going to land in Port Harcourt.”
“We had buses, logistics and other things planned waiting at the Victor Attah Airport in Uyo,” he said.
He then noted that the NFF made an approved plan for the Libyans to fly from Port Harcourt to Uyo, but they rescinded it.
“We asked them what happened, you landed in Uyo? They told us they only had a landing permission in Port Harcourt. ‘You should have told us’. They didn’t do that,” he added.
“We looked at the possibility of difficulty they would face if they had to travel by road from Port Harcourt to Uyo. So, we moved mountains and valleys to ensure that they flew from Port Harcourt to Uyo.
Photo Credit: CAF
“But aware that they would be extra cost, they opted out of it. They didn’t want to pay extra expenses from the charter company.
So, they opted to travel by road. We secured them buses but they rejected them.”
CAF VOWS TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION
Africa’s football governing body, The Confederation OF African Football (CAF), has vowed to look into the issue and take appropriate actions against either party found guilty of an offence.
According to a statement by CAF: “CAF has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigeria Authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.
The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” it assures.
Libya’s Wrong Flight Destination Catalysed Eagles’ Mistreatment.