Libya pay Nigeria back in their own coin: Super Eagles flight diverted to city over 2 hours from destination

The Super Eagles' flight to Benghazi for their second leg match against Libya has been redirected to a different city.

On Friday, Nigeria beat the Mediterranean Knights 1-0 in the first leg match of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo.

Prior to the match, the Libyan team lodged accusations against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), claiming they were subjected to poor transportation treatment during arrival to the country.

Faisal Al-Badri, the team's captain, expressed his frustration with the NFF and called for a response from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

However, the Nigeria Football Federation refuted the allegations of poor treatment made by the captain of Libya's national team, Faisal Al-Badri, upon their arrival in Nigeria.

According to Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, the Assistant Director (Protocol) of NFF, the Libyan Football Federation notified them of the arrival of their team in Port Harcourt instead of Uyo just three hours before their landing on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles, after securing victory in Uyo, set to face the Mediterranean Knights at the Benina Stadium for the return leg.

The Nigerian team departed the country on Sunday, October 13, for the reverse fixture against Libya.

However, just an hour before landing in Benghazi, the Nigerian aircraft was diverted to a different city, which was more than a two-hour drive from the originally intended destination.

In a video the Super Eagles media team made available to allnigeriasoccer.com, the Super Eagles players were seen stranded at the airport, while team officials engaged in discussions with Libyan police and other officials.

With a potential qualification for the AFCON tournament at stake, the outcome of the match between Nigeria and Libya carries significant importance.

A victory for Nigeria could potentially secure their qualification for the biennial tournament in Morocco, while a defeat ends Libya's dream.

Nigeria is currently leading the group with seven points, while Libya is at the bottom with only one point from three matches.

Adeyemi Adewale

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com