AFCON qualifier: How Libyan authorities forced Super Eagles’ mid-flight diversion – Tunisian pilot

In a surprising turn of events, the Tunisian pilot who flew Nigeria’s national football team to Libya has shed light on the unexpected diversion of their flight, which left the Super Eagles stranded for over 16 hours at a remote airport.

The Nigerian delegation was en route to Benghazi for a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya when their flight was suddenly redirected to Al-Abraq, an airport nearly 300 kilometers from their intended destination.

This diversion led to significant delays, with the team lacking access to basic amenities during their lengthy wait.

In a video interview shared by Pooja Media on X (formerly Twitter), the pilot clarified that the decision to divert the plane to Al-Abraq was made by Libyan authorities, not him.

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The airport, primarily used for hajj operations, is far from major cities, including Benghazi, where the Super Eagles were scheduled to play.

The diversion caused major disruptions for the Nigerian team, adding a layer of challenge to their already high-stakes qualifier.

“The flight plan was to land at Benghazi, Benina, and we had approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority,” the pilot said. “However, as we began our descent, we were instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which wasn’t even listed as our alternate airport. This decision came from the highest Libyan authorities, not me.”

He expressed concern over the safety risks posed by the sudden change, explaining that the fuel on board was calculated for the original destination.

“In aviation, we calculate fuel based on our destination. Diverting unexpectedly can compromise safety. I repeatedly questioned the directive and warned them about fuel limitations, but they insisted that we land at Al-Abraq, citing orders from the highest authority,” he said.

The pilot refuted media claims that the diversion was his choice, stressing that all aviation communications are recorded and could be provided as evidence. “Everything is documented. I asked to land in Benghazi as per my flight plan, but they denied it, instructing me to divert immediately,” he added.

The conditions at Al-Abraq posed further challenges. The pilot described the small airport as poorly equipped, lacking essential navigation systems like an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR), making a night landing in marginal weather conditions particularly difficult.

“I had to make a visual landing, which is risky, especially in those conditions. It was not easy, but fortunately, we landed safely,” he said, attributing his familiarity with the region from previous work to helping manage the situation.

In light of the ordeal, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to pull the Super Eagles out of the qualifier match against Libya.

“The players have resolved not to play the match, and NFF officials are now making arrangements to fly the team back home,” the statement read.

This news involves the Nigerian national football team’s ordeal during their trip to Libya for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. On Sunday, the team’s flight, originally scheduled to land in Benghazi, was unexpectedly diverted to Al-Abraq, a remote airport in eastern Libya.

This diversion left the Nigerian delegation stranded for over 16 hours, raising questions and concerns from both the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the public.

The flight’s diversion became a subject of controversy, with conflicting reports suggesting it might have been the pilot’s decision. However, in a later interview, the Tunisian pilot clarified that Libyan authorities, not him, ordered the diversion. He stressed that their flight plan had initially been approved to land in Benghazi, but the last-minute redirection to Al-Abraq created safety and logistical concerns, particularly with fuel planning and landing conditions.

Al-Abraq airport is small and under-equipped, usually reserved for hajj operations, making it a challenging location for an unexpected landing, especially at night and in marginal weather. The situation not only left the Nigerian delegation stranded but also raised security and safety concerns, further complicating the team’s preparations for their crucial qualifier.

The Nigeria Football Federation ultimately decided to withdraw the Super Eagles from the match, citing the players’ decision not to proceed due to the circumstances.

This development reflects the ongoing tensions and difficulties faced by visiting teams when traveling in unstable regions like Libya, which continues to experience political and security challenges post-Gaddafi era.