By Precious Momoh
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has vowed to pursue legal action following Nigeria’s withdrawal from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, initially scheduled for October 15, 2024. The Super Eagles, who were supposed to face Libya in Benghazi, cited safety concerns as the reason for their sudden exit, leading to tension between the two nations.
Safety Concerns Spark Tensions
Nigeria’s Super Eagles made headlines when they abandoned the second-leg AFCON qualifier due to being stranded at Al Abaq Airport for over 13 hours. The team reported being left without access to basic amenities like food, water, and proper resting facilities. Photos surfaced online showing players sleeping on airport benches, further fueling the controversy.
The Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong, described the conditions at the airport as “disgraceful,” and accused Libyan authorities of playing “mind games” by revoking their landing permit. He criticized the delays and ill-treatment, suggesting the Libyan Federation had acted intentionally to unsettle the Nigerian team.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) swiftly decided to withdraw from the match due to safety concerns for the players, a decision that triggered a strong reaction from Libya.
Libya’s Response and Legal Threats
In response, the Libyan Football Federation condemned Nigeria’s withdrawal, stating it would take all necessary legal measures to protect the interests of their national team. According to a statement released by the LFF and shared through multiple outlets, including The Libya Observer, the LFF emphasized that they had faced even worse treatment in Nigeria during the first leg of the match. Despite the challenges they encountered, the Libyan team had gone ahead to play, in what they described as an act of “cooperation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF)”.
The LFF expressed frustration at the NFF’s lack of cooperation, accusing them of creating confusion and causing delays in the match’s organization. They added that the incidents in Libya were “beyond our control” and were nowhere near the scale of what their national team had endured during their time in Nigeria. The Federation further apologized to Libyan football fans for the inconvenience caused by Nigeria’s withdrawal but firmly placed the blame on the NFF for the match’s cancellation.
Escalating Diplomatic Concerns
This incident has now taken on a broader diplomatic dimension, with calls from both nations for intervention by football governing bodies. The Nigerian government has also sought clarification on the ill-treatment of its national team, adding pressure on both the CAF and international football authorities to intervene. There are rising concerns that this situation could further escalate into a full-blown diplomatic row between the two countries, potentially affecting future football engagements and international relations.
Libya’s legal threats mark the severity of the situation, as they aim to secure the points from the abandoned match. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to review the case and provide a ruling on the outcome of the scheduled qualifier.
