Super Eagles: LFF defends landing change as CAF launches probe

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has asserted that the decision to alter the Super Eagles’ landing plan must be respected, amid growing tension following the cancellation of the AFCON Group D qualifier between Libya and Nigeria.

The match, initially scheduled to take place, was called off after the Nigerian team refused to play, citing mistreatment after their plane was diverted to Labraq Airport, where they were held for 18 hours without food or water.

According to Libya Al-Ahrar Channel, Nasser Al-Suwaie, the Secretary-General of the LFF, confirmed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has requested both the Libyan and Nigerian football associations to submit documents detailing the incident by the 20th of this month.

Al-Suwaie revealed that the LFF had enlisted the help of a lawyer to gather evidence in defense of the federation’s position. He also hinted at possible internal collusion within CAF but maintained that the Libyan Federation stands firm.

The LFF clarified that the decision to reroute the Nigerian team’s plane to Al-Abraq Airport was made by the Libyan state for reasons of national sovereignty and security, not by the football federation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Super Eagles have since returned home, sharing harrowing accounts of their ordeal. Team manager Patrick Pascal detailed how players were forced to sleep on the floor at the airport and alleged that Libyan officials had made the toilets unusable ahead of their arrival.

CAF’s ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the full extent of the incident and determine the necessary actions to be taken.