After a grueling 24-hour wait in Libya, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have finally returned home, landing safely at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State. The team’s ordeal began when their chartered flight, operated by ValueJet, was diverted from its intended destination in Benghazi to Al Abraq International Airport without prior notice.
The diversion led to a series of challenges, including the team being stranded at the airport for over 12 hours without basic amenities such as food, water, and Wi-Fi. The players and officials were forced to spend the night at the airport, sparking widespread criticism and frustration.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) responded to the allegations, attributing the delay to routine air traffic and logistical issues. They denied any foul play or sabotage, stating that such delays are common due to procedural air traffic protocols and security checks.
Despite the LFF’s explanation, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has formally lodged a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya. CAF has launched an investigation into the incident and referred the matter to the CAF Disciplinary Board for appropriate action.
The incident has led to the Nigerian team deciding not to honour the upcoming AFCON qualifier against Libya, with team captain William Troost-Ekong expressing the team’s intention to boycott the match due to the unacceptable conditions they faced.
The Super Eagles’ return to Nigeria marks the end of a difficult chapter, but the fallout from the incident is likely to continue as both CAF and the NFF address the grievances and ensure such incidents do not recur in the future.
