The Libya Football Federation has explained the reason behind the decision to hold the senior national team of Nigeria hostage at the airport for over 18 hours ahead of their AFCON qualifiers game in Benghazi tomorrow, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Super Eagles arrived in the country for the reverse tie after defeating Libya 1-0 on Friday in Uyo. However after a blizzare decision to divert their flight from landing in Benghazi to another airport 200Km from the venue of the game, the players were not allowed to leave the airport facility.
After spending 16 hours at the airport, the players of the Nigerian team decided to boycott the game and head back to Nigeria. It was after then that the FA released a statement stating the reason behind the airport debacle, with a board member calling on CAF to sanction Nigeria if they decide to boycott the game as contained in the rulebooks of the qualifiers.
Below is their statement.
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.
While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel.
These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon.
We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional.
There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.
We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.
It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities. Football, in its essence, unites nations, and we are committed to upholding the spirit of fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field.
In Libya, we pride ourselves on our hospitality and our welcoming nature. We have always prioritized treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Hosting these events is a great honor for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests. This commitment to equality and hospitality is a core aspect of our culture and tradition.
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.
