Why we delayed Super Eagles at Airport—LFF

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has denied allegations that it deliberately abandoned Nigeria’s Super Eagles at Al Abraq International Airport for over 12 hours after their arrival ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles had pulled out of the scheduled Tuesday clash against Libya due to the ordeal.

The NFF issued a statement revealing the team’s frustration after being stranded at the airport since Sunday afternoon without any reception or transportation to their hotel, which is three hours away in Benghazi.

“Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport,” the NFF reported.

In response, the LFF released a statement on Monday via its X (formerly Twitter) account, rejecting claims of intentional foul play and attributing the delay to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, and logistical challenges.

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The LFF clarified that such incidents, while unfortunate, are not uncommon in international air travel.

“We are deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the AFCON qualifier,” the LFF stated.

“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.”

The LFF emphasized that the incident was not orchestrated by Libyan authorities and denied accusations of sabotage. “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles,” the statement read.

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The Libyan football body also pointed out that its own national team faced similar challenges when traveling to Uyo, Nigeria, for the first leg of the AFCON qualification match.

Despite the difficulties, the LFF noted that they did not publicly accuse Nigerian authorities of misconduct. “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,” the statement added.

The LFF reaffirmed its commitment to hospitality, noting that Libya prides itself on treating visiting teams with respect and dignity.

“Hosting these events is a great honor for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests,” the statement said, underscoring Libya’s cultural emphasis on equality and hospitality.