Libya FA unhappy with Nigeria's Super Eagles for not 'co-operating' vow to take legal steps

The Mediterranean Knights Football Federation is unhappy with Nigeria's decision to abandon the second-leg clash in Libya. They believe the Super Eagles should have co-operated regardless of what happened.

The Libyan Football Federation has voiced out its displeasure with its Nigerian counterparts after the Super Eagles decided to abandon their 2025 AFCON qualifier due to the inhumane conditions they were treated to.

The organisation accused the Super Eagles of treating them the same way when they were in Uyo to face coach Austine Eguavoen's side in the 1-0 defeat, stressing that Libya went ahead with the game despite the hurdles it faced in Nigeria.

Recall that the Super Eagles of Nigeria had traveled to Libya on Sunday and were on course to land at the Benghazi airport. 

However, the ValueJet plane Nigeria boarded was diverted by the Libyan authorities to the small Abraq airport just as the pilot was approaching his initial destination - the Benghazi airport.

The Super Eagles entourage was denied access to accommodation, transportation, and communication. The host nation provided no explanation as to why the Nigerian team were being locked out in what looked like a hostage situation.

Captain Williams Troost-Ekong threatened that Nigeria would not go ahead with the game after he and the rest of the team were stranded for over 20 hours without food, and some players were seen sleeping on makeshift beds at the airport.

CAF intervenes to persuade Nigeria

On Monday, October 14th, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) contacted the Confederation of  African Football (CAF) to report the ill-treatment by the Libyan Federation.

CAF, in its response, released a statement stating that it was conducting an internal investigation into the matter.

“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.

“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” the CAF statement read.

Moreover, the African Football Governing Body also tried to persuade Nigeria’s Sports Minister to allow the Super Eagles to go on with the game schedule for Tuesday, October 15th, but Senator John Owan Enoh would not bulge, rather prioritised the team’s safety, and threw his weight behind the decision to abandon the Libya-Nigeria game.  

LIbya FA ready to sue Nigeria Football Federation

The Libyan Football Federation has accused the NFF of a lack of cooperation in preventing the ‘hostage’ situation that the Super Eagles were exposed to.

The football body also attached footage of what it terms ‘inhumane’ treatment it received in Nigeria that could have prevented Libya from playing the first-leg match last week, but it went ahead just to cooperate with the Confederation of African Football.

Furthermore, the Libyan Football Federation, while apologising to Libyan football fans everywhere, stated that it would take all legal measures to preserve the interests of the Libyan national football team.

What next?

It remains to be seen how CAF will resolve this issue. Will Libya be docked points for how it treated Nigeria, or will the Super Eagles be sanctioned for failing to go om with the game regardless of what happened?

Team Nigeria is back in the country, as they landed in Kano last night, with local fans excited to see their stars return safely.

Nigeria currently lead the group with 7 points from three matches while Libya is bottom with just one point.