The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has responded to accusations made by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), alleging that the Super Eagles were mistreated ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Libya.
The Nigerian team reportedly faced over 13 hours of delays at a Libyan airport, without access to food or Wi-Fi, leading to their decision to boycott the match.
In a statement released on Monday, the LFF expressed regret over the incident but firmly denied any deliberate attempt to frustrate the Super Eagles.
The federation also noted that the Libyan national team had faced similar difficulties during their recent visit to Nigeria but refrained from making public accusations.
“We are deeply concerned about the reports regarding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the AFCON qualifier in Libya,” the statement read.
“While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to acknowledge that such issues can arise due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges, which are not uncommon in international travel.”
The LFF stressed that there was no intentional effort to hinder Nigeria’s preparations, stating: “There are no grounds to accuse Libyan security teams or the football federation of orchestrating this incident. These claims are inconsistent with our values and principles.”
Libya also pointed out that their own team had encountered significant challenges during their stay in Nigeria for the previous leg of the AFCON qualifiers but chose not to accuse Nigerian authorities publicly.
“Despite the difficulties we faced upon arrival in Nigeria, we did not make public accusations or question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities. Football should unite nations, and we remain committed to fairness and respect both on and off the pitch.”
The LFF highlighted Libya’s longstanding reputation for hospitality, reaffirming that the country always treats visiting teams, including their African counterparts, with respect and dignity.
“We take pride in our hospitality and have always strived to ensure that all visiting teams feel safe and respected as our guests.
“Hosting international events is an honour, and we are committed to upholding the spirit of sportsmanship and friendship,” the statement said.
Libya called for understanding and goodwill to resolve the misunderstanding, expressing openness to continued cooperation with Nigeria and other African teams in the spirit of unity and football.
