By Joke Kujenya
LIBYAN AUTHORITIES have denied any allegations of foul play, stating that the delay was a result of routine air traffic protocols and security measures common in international travel.
In an official statement, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) emphasized that the diversion was not intentional and that similar challenges had been experienced by their own national team upon their recent arrival in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Super Eagles had faced an unexpected ordeal upon arrival in Libya for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match.
Their chartered ValueJet flight was diverted to Al Abraq International Airport instead of Benghazi, leading to a 13-hour delay that left the team stranded without basic provisions like water or food.
The Nigerian delegation, including the players and technical staff, were subjected to the lengthy wait without access to communication facilities, as local authorities failed to offer any immediate assistance.
Nigerian officials, however, expressed concerns over the circumstances surrounding the delay.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), condemned the treatment of the Nigerian national team.
She warned about the inherent dangers of road travel in Libya, given the ongoing unrest in the country, and stressed that the safety of the Super Eagles is of paramount importance.
According to her, the diversion would force the team to undertake a three-hour road journey to the match venue, further exacerbating the risks involved.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the incident.
The NFF accused the Libyan authorities of failing to provide proper care for the stranded team.
CAF acknowledged the complaint and has initiated an investigation, with its Disciplinary Board set to determine if any regulations were violated by Libyan officials.
The Libyan FA, in a bid to defend its actions, reiterated that these kinds of delays and diversions are not unusual in international travel and asked for mutual understanding.
They stressed that Libya has always upheld the spirit of hospitality and sportsmanship when hosting international teams.
The federation reassured the Nigerian delegation that there was no deliberate attempt to disrupt their plans or hinder their preparations for the match.
CAF, however, has expressed concern over the situation and is reviewing the actions taken by Libyan authorities.
If any violation of CAF’s statutes is found, appropriate sanctions may be imposed on the Libyan Federation.
The Super Eagles, meanwhile, are expected to return home soon after the conclusion of the investigation and their match against Libya.
This incident follows a series of logistical issues faced by teams traveling for international matches, adding to ongoing discussions about the adequacy of arrangements for visiting teams in African football.
Nigeria had earlier secured a 1-0 victory against Libya in Uyo, thanks to a late goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, bringing their total points to seven in the group.
The Libyan national team has so far only earned one point, placing them at the bottom of the group standings, while Nigeria leads the group with strong prospects of advancing to the 24-team finals in Morocco next year.
The situation has stirred concerns within the Nigerian sports community, with many questioning the efficiency of the arrangements made for the Super Eagles’ trip and the seeming disregard for their welfare during their stay in Libya.
Calls for improved coordination and diplomatic interventions are rising as Nigeria continues to push for a swift resolution to the matter.
