Nigeria's Super Eagles Face Airport Delays in Libya

The Libyan Football Association has issued an official statement about the unfair treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles team and their staff upon their arrival in Libya.

The Nigerian national football team faced difficulties upon their arrival in Libya as they were left waiting at the airport by local authorities.

Their flight was rerouted to a different airport than planned, causing confusion and delays.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles players, together with representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), were forced to wait for over 15 hours at the airport, without adequate provisions or sustenance, before making further travel arrangements.

Reacting via an official statement released on their official account on X, the Libyan FA said, “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.”

The Libyan FA also noted that the problem the Super Eagles encountered happened as a result of logistic problems.

“While we apologise for any inconvenience caused, it is important to note that such incidents can happen due to routine air traffic control procedures, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel.

These are typical procedures at airports all over the world, and delays or changes in flight plans, while unfortunate, are not uncommon. We respect our Nigerian counterparts very much and want to assure them that their flight was not intentionally diverted.

“We firmly reject any report that suggests foul play or undermining in this situation. It is necessary to stress that just last week, our own national team faced similar challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

“In spite of the difficulties we faced, we did not make public allegations nor question the credibility of the Nigerian authorities. Football, in its essence, is a unit nation, and we are dedicated to preserving the spirit of fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field.

"In Libya, we are known for our hospitality and friendly nature. We have always made sure to treat all visiting teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve."