The Libyan Football Federation has issued a statement rejecting claims from the Nigerian Football Federation that its team and officials were held hostage upon arrival in Libya.
The statement comes in response to reports that the Super Eagles were stranded at Al Abraq Airport for 15 hours after their flight was unexpectedly diverted.
On October 13, the Nigerian team departed on a chartered ValueJet aircraft, but the flight was rerouted just an hour before landing. The team arrived at Al Abraq Airport, located more than two hours from their intended destination, and were left stranded for several hours before Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong raised an alarm.
In its statement, the Libyan Football Federation explained that the diversion was not deliberate but was a result of standard air traffic control protocols. They also referenced the challenges their own national team faced during their visit to Nigeria for the first leg of the AFCON qualifiers, emphasizing that they did not publicly accuse the Nigerian authorities or question their integrity.
The statement reads:
“We are deeply concerned by the recent reports regarding the diversion of Nigeria’s national team flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya. While we regret any inconvenience caused, it’s important to note that such incidents can happen due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical issues affecting international travel. These are standard procedures at airports around the world, and while unfortunate, delays and rerouting are not uncommon.
“We want to make it clear that there was no intention behind the flight’s diversion, and the incident was not orchestrated by Libyan security forces or the Libyan Football Federation. Any suggestions of foul play or sabotage are unfounded and inconsistent with our values and principles.
“Last week, when our national team arrived in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, we faced significant challenges, but we chose not to make public accusations or question the integrity of Nigerian authorities. Football is meant to unite nations, and we are committed to upholding fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field.
“In Libya, we take great pride in our hospitality and the respect we offer to all visiting teams. Hosting international events is a great honor, and we strive to ensure that all teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, feel safe and respected as our guests. This commitment to hospitality is a core aspect of our culture and tradition.
“We hope this misunderstanding can be resolved through understanding and goodwill. Our doors remain open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams as we continue to promote unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football.”
