By Kolawole Ojebisi
Libya Football Federation (LFF) has said Nigeria should not make a fuss over the treatment meted out to its national téam players and officials in its country.
LFF said it’s not just insincere but also unfair to claim that the Nigerian team was deliberately subjected to inhumane treatment by Libya to gain undue advantage on the pitch tomorrow.
The football body moved to clear the air in a statement issued on Monday hours after it became public knowledge how Nigerian team spent their night in Libya through viral videos released by the players.
The LFF noted that many factors may have been responsible for the challenges that the Nigerian team and its officials faced.?
The statement reads: “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.”
The development in Libya comes days after the first leg match between Nigeria and Libya was played which was part of a double-header match for Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON 2025) qualifiers.
The first leg match was played in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State on Friday and it ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria.
A return leg was fixed for Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday.
Ahead of the return leg, the Nigerian team arrived in Benghazi for the match via a chartered flight, on Sunday.
However, the flight was diverted from its initial destination about an hour to landing.
The Nigerian players had to land at the Al Abraq International Airport, which is only used for hajj operations.
After landing, the NFF made said they made arrangements for the trip by road to the venue of the match following the absence of officials of the Libyan Football Federation.
However, officials at the airport did not allow the chartered bus to enter the airport. The players and officials, therefore, had to bed down at the airport.
Following that developmen, the Super Eagles resolved not to play the match any longer and consequently agreed to return home.
The Nigerian stars have been stranded in the North African Country for over 14 hours as seen in viral videos.
