The Nigerian government has summoned the Libyan Chargé d’Affaires, to discuss and resolve the circumstances behind the Nigerian Super Eagles’ extended delay at Al Abraq International Airport, Libya.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar made this known to State House Correspondents on Monday while responding to the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight away from Benghazi as planned.
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The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff at the Nigerian mission in Libya have been detailed to represent the nation on the matter.
Tuggar explained that the management of the Nigerian team had decided to refuel the chartered ValueJet aircraft at the AlAbraq airport and proceeded to return to Nigeria, following the hostile reception of the soccer stars and the staff of the Nigeria Football Federation by the Libya Football Federation, before they were locked down at the airport.
The Minister described the situation as unfortunate.
He further decried the ill treatment of the Nigerian delegates adding that the government would not allow the team to proceed with the games.
“Well, it’s the most unfortunate situation, because the Super Eagles flew to Libya to play a match. As you know, the Libyan team was here they were supposed to land in Uyo instead, they went and landed in Port Harcourt , where they were not supposed to land. And now our team has gone to Libya, and somehow the plane gets diverted to a different airport.
“And unfortunately, at that airport, there is no aviation fuel, because what we have decided is they need to refuel and get out, we will not be able to allow them to continue. no food. You know, it’s a good thing when they landed in Kano they actually even got some water, some cartoons of water otherwise even water would have been a problem but suffice. Suffice it to say that we have established contact with them. We’ve sent people from the mission to go there, representing the mission.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs further disclosed that he has been in communication with the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau along with the nation’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, seeking a way to resolve what seems to be a deliberate act by the Libyan Football Federation.
“They are in touch with the delegation. Now I am also communicating directly with the chairman, and since last night, we’ve been on the phone with the chargé d’affaires because LibyaDoesn’t have an ambassador here, so we’re in touch with the chargé d’affaires, and I’m heading back to the ministry now, where we have summoned the chargé d’affaires, the Libyan chargé d’affaires. This issue has to be resolved as quickly as possible. So we’re on top of the situation.” The Minister added.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Football Federation NFF on Monday pulled the Super Eagles out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, following a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team was stranded since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.
The Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi for the crucial qualifier when their chartered aircraft was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq.
The unexpected diversion left players and officials stranded without any assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to provide transportation or further welfare.
Meanwhile, Libyan Football Federation LFF, has addressed the circumstances behind the Nigerian Super Eagles’ extended delay at Al Abraq International Airport, attributing the situation to routine air traffic and logistical challenges rather than deliberate foul play.
The LFF on Monday on its X handle, clarified the events, emphasizing that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight was not intended as a hostile act.
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF said.
They highlighted that just a week earlier, the Libyan national team faced their own challenges upon arriving in Nigeria for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
“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,” the LFF Post added.
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