By Kazeem Ugbodaga
In a shocking turn of events, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed how the much-anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Nigeria and Libya descended into a farcical situation due to the actions of Libyan federal authorities and their football federation.
According to Dr Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications for the NFF, the Nigerian team’s ordeal began the moment their chartered ValueJet aircraft departed from the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, at 11:55 am on Sunday, 13th October 2024.
He said after a brief stop in Kano for immigration and refuelling, the flight proceeded to Benghazi, Libya, expecting to arrive around 8 pm local time.
Olajire explained that just before landing, the Libyan control tower refused the plane entry and directed it to the Al-Abraq International Airport, a facility lacking adequate navigational equipment for night landings.
According to him, despite warnings from the pilot about low fuel, Libyan officials ignored the concerns and forced the plane to reroute., saying that upon landing in the remote town of Labraq, the delegation, which included NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Edo State’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, faced a series of indignities.
He said with no scanning machines or proper equipment, passport checks were conducted using mobile phones, and the luggage took over an hour to arrive.
Olajire added that shockingly, no Libyan Football Federation officials were present to receive the team, and airport staff had no knowledge of buses arranged to transport the delegation to their hotel in Benghazi, explaining that efforts by the NFF President and officials to find transport were met with rudeness from airport security, as repeated attempts to contact the Libyan General Secretary were met with vague promises, which ultimately led to hours of delay with no resolution.
Olajire emphasised that as the situation worsened, the delegation, which included players, officials, and media representatives, were left stranded without food, water, or communication, as the airport had no internet or phone network.
He explained that by midnight, it became clear that Libyan authorities were deliberately stalling the team, citing a false grievance about their own experience in Nigeria, despite the NFF’s efforts to accommodate them during their visit to Port Harcourt.
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Frustrated, Olajire said the NFF President condemned the “despicable” behaviour, which he said had no place in football, saying that with the players growing increasingly fatigued and some falling ill due to lack of food and dehydration, Captain William Ekong informed NFF officials that the team was in no condition to play the match.
He explained further that in the early hours of the morning, the Nigerian Ambassador to Libya, Alhaji Muhammad Muhammad, sent support through the Nigerian community president in Eastern Libya, who arrived with a modest breakfast of croissants and drinks for the beleaguered team.
Olajire said after further deliberation and communication with higher authorities, including CAF officials, the NFF decided that the Super Eagles would not proceed with the match, returning to Nigeria to await CAF’s decision on the unplayed fixture.
The NFF has lodged a formal complaint with CAF, calling for decisive action against the Libyan hosts for what it described as an “unprecedented level of hostility” that tarnished the spirit of football.
