AFCON: Libyan State diverted Super Eagles’ flight, not LFF - Secretary-General

Its decision to change the Super Eagles’ landing plan must be respected, said the Libyan Football Federation over the botched African Cup of Nations qualifying match with Nigeria as Libyan State authorities diverted the flight.

This is amid the Libyan Federation’s panic after being asked by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to submit documents related to the cancellation of the AFCON qualifying Group D match against Nigeria.

The AFCON qualifier slated for Tuesday between Nigeria and Libya was called off after the Nigerian team refused to play following an ordeal in which their plane was diverted to Labraq Airport. They were held for 12 hours without access to food or water.

A statement by Libya’s Al-Ahrar Channel, Nasser Al-Suwaie, the Secretary-General of the country’s Football Federation, said CAF has given both the Libyan and Nigerian football associations until the 20th of this month to submit the required documents concerning the incident.

Al-Suwaie said the Libyan FA has hired a specialized lawyer to gather evidence for the case.

He also suggested possible collusion from some within CAF but stated that the Libyan Federation’s position remains strong.

He said the Libyan Federation was not responsible for changing the plane’s landing to Al-Abraq Airport.

He said rather the decision was made by the Libyan state and that the country’s sovereignty must be respected.

An earlier statement by the NFF, on Monday, said the Super Eagles were stuck in the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, located three hours away.

The statement reads, “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.

“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, 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.”