The Nigerian government has summoned Libya's Charge d'Affaires to discuss the prolonged delay faced by the Super Eagles at Al Abraq International Airport, Libya. This move follows the unexpected diversion of the Nigerian football teams flight, which was originally scheduled to land in Benghazi.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar briefed State House Correspondents on Monday, revealing that staff from the Nigerian mission in Libya had been instructed to address the matter and represent Nigeria's interests. Tuggar criticised the Libyan Football Federation for the hostile treatment of the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation NFF staff, which led to the team's extended wait at the airport.
Tuggar explained that the Nigerian delegation had intended to refuel their chartered ValueJet aircraft at Al Abraq airport before returning to Nigeria due to the unfriendly reception. The minister called the situation unfortunate and condemned the mistreatment of the Nigerian delegation.
"Well, it's the most unfortunate situation, because the Super Eagles flew to Libya to play a match. As you know, the Libyan team was here they were supposed to land in Uyo instead, they went and landed in Port Harcourt , where they were not supposed to land. And now our team has gone to Libya, and somehow the plane gets diverted to a different airport.
"And unfortunately, at that airport, there is no aviation fuel, because what we have decided is they need to refuel and get out, we will not be able to allow them to continue. no food. You know, it's a good thing when they landed in Kano they actually even got some water, some cartoons of water otherwise even water would have been a problem but suffice. Suffice it to say that we have established contact with them. We've sent people from the mission to go there, representing the mission, Tuggar said. He noted that the team would not be allowed to continue with the match under these conditions.
