THE Libyan Football Federation is panicking after being asked by CAF to submit documents relating to the cancellation of the AFCON qualifying Group D match against Nigeria after the latter refused to play the match after their plane was diverted to Labraq Airport and held hostage for 18 hours without food and water.
According to Libya Al-Ahrar Channel, the Secretary-General and person in charge of running the body, Nasser Al-Suwaie, confirmed in a special statement to Libya Al-Ahrar that CAF has given the Libyan and Nigerian associations until the 20th of this month to submit the documents related to this file.
Al-Suwaie revealed that the Libya FA has assigned a specialised lawyer to provide evidence, adding that there may be collusion from some parties within the CAF, but the position of the Libyan Federation is strong.
Al-Suwaie added that the Libyan Federation did not change the course of the plane’s landing to Al-Abraq Airport, and the reason for changing the plane’s landing to Al-Abraq was a decision by the Libyan state, and that the sovereignty of the Libyan state must be respected by everyone.
Recall, the Nigeria Football Federation has said the Super Eagles will no longer take part in the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya after the Libyan authorities delayed the Super Eagles at the Al Abraq Airport for more than 12 hours after landing.
A statement by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department on Monday, said the team were left unattended to at the Al Abraq Airport.
A video posted by the Eagles media team also confirmed the development, as the players and officials, along with their luggage, were left stranded at the airport, with the Libyan airport officials indifferent to their plight.
The Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday morning, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights.
Libya was to host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi, but reports emerged that they were diverted to another city.
The Super Eagles returned the country on Monday with gory tales of taking turns to sleep on the bare floor of the airport, with the team manager, Patrick Pascal, explaining that the toilet had been deliberately seriously messed up by the Libyan officials in anticipation of their arrival.
