The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has vehemently dismissed accusations of mistreatment regarding the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, during their visit to Libya for the AFCON 2025 qualifier.

Tensions flared on Sunday, October 13, when the Nigerian team found themselves in a bit of a pickle after their flight was diverted, leaving them stranded for hours and causing a stir between the two footballing nations, Footballrover reports.

While heading to Benghazi for a critical match, the Super Eagles’ plane unexpectedly touched down at Al Abaq Airport instead.

Unfortunately, the team and their officials were left waiting for over 13 hours without adequate accommodations, as securing hotel rooms for the stranded group proved to be a significant hurdle.

Libyan FA responds to Super Eagles’ claims of mistreatment

This treatment has ignited a firestorm of outrage among Nigerian fans and officials, raising serious questions about Libya’s hospitality.

In response, the Libyan Football Federation quickly took to their X (formerly Twitter) account to address the allegations, aiming to clear the air of any misunderstandings.

In their statement, the LFF clarified that the diversion was purely a result of standard air traffic control procedures and logistical challenges, which can be quite common in international travel.

They firmly asserted that there was no malicious intent behind the situation and expressed their regret for any inconvenience caused to the Super Eagles.

The LFF also claimed that they had faced similar logistical hurdles just the week before when their national team traveled to Nigeria for the same tournament.

They pointed out that, despite their own challenges, they refrained from publicly accusing Nigerian authorities or questioning their integrity, underscoring their commitment to fair play and sportsmanship.

“We firmly reject any claims of foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF stated.

As both nations prepare for the upcoming AFCON qualifier, Libya reiterated its respect for Nigeria, highlighting their desire to foster unity, fairness, and hospitality in the realm of football.

“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 FA noted.

9- 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.#Caf #Libya #Nigeria

— Libyan FF – الإتحاد الليبي لكرة القدم (@Libyan_FF) October 14, 2024

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Last Updated on October 14, 2024 2:10 pm by footballrover