The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has filled all necessary documents as requested by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in respect of Super Eagles’ flight diversion by Libyan authority that led to the withdrawal of the Nigerian national team from their second leg Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.
The controversy erupted when the Nigerian team’s flight, bound for Benghazi, was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq Airport with poor facility, and without immediate provisions for hotels, food and internet for over twenty hours.
As CAF’s investigation unfolds, the fate of the match remains uncertain. Potential consequences include a rescheduled fixture and disciplinary sanctions.
This situation prompted the Nigerian government to direct the NFF to withdraw the team from the match, citing concerns for the players’ safety in the tense atmosphere.
Even before Nigeria officially pulled out, the NFF lodged a formal complaint with the CAF, accusing the Libyan authorities of unacceptable treatment.
CAF responded by condemning the incident, labeling the treatment of the Nigerian delegation as “despicable.”
The NFF and the Libya Football Federation (LFF) were instructed to submit detailed event accounts by October 20.
While the NFF has met the October 20 deadline issued by CAF for necessary documents to be filled, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has engaged the service of a legal representation, distancing itself from the situation by claiming that the flight diversion was a decision made by Libyan state authorities, not the football federation.
