Libya vs Nigeria: ‘I was forced to divert Super Eagles plane to a different location — Pilot

The pilot of the chartered aircraft in which the Super Eagles flew to Libya, has given details on how Libyan authorities refused his plea to successfully land the plane in Benghazi and diverted the flight to the sub-standard airport at Al-Abraq.

Topnaija.ng recalls that the Super Eagles flew to Libya on Sunday, October 13, for the return leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Libya which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, October 15.

Unfortunately for the Super Eagles, they were held “hostage” at the Al-Abraq International Airport by the Libyan football authorities for over 16 hours.

Note that Nigeria’s delegates to the game comprised NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and a host of others. Despite the high-level delegation, they were subjected to inhuman treatment, according to a statement from Olajire earlier today, October 14.

Due to the ill-treatment from the Libyan football authorities, the Super Eagles had to return to Nigeria earlier today as they await the outcome of the CAF investigation into the saga.

Libya vs Nigeria: ‘I was forced to divert Super Eagles plane to a different location — Pilot

In a trending video on social media, the Pilot who conveyed the Nigerian team to Libya disclosed that authorities in the country refused his plea to successfully land the plane in Benghazi.

https://x.com/Leotus15/status/1846129346492141830

He stated that despite his warning that he was low on aviation fuel, Libyan authorities insisted he redirect to Al-Abraq Airport which was far from their destination.

He stated that just as he was about to commence his initial approach into Benghazi, he was instructed by the control tower that he could not land in Benghazi (despite having all the required landing papers and having completed all formalities before leaving Uyo and later, Kano) but should proceed to the Al-Abraq International Airport, even though the airport lacked the control navigators for landing at such hours.

He complained that he was short on fuel but his words fell on deaf ears as he was told that the directive was from ‘higher authorities.’

The pilot noted that all relevant communications and authorisations are documented and could be provided as evidence if needed.

He said, “The truth was we were going to Benghazi, and I can show you the evidence of the approval, I have it. But at the last minute, they changed their mind and changed the airport.”

On the conditions at Al-Abraq, the pilot disclosed the challenges of landing at what he referred to as a poorly equipped domestic airport.

“There is no ILS (Instrument Landing System), no air navigation approach, no VHR (VHF Omnidirectional Range). We had to make a visual landing, which is particularly difficult by night with marginal weather,” he said, adding that the airport’s lack of facilities left them with “no second chances” if the landing had gone wrong.

The pilot’s familiarity with the region, having worked there for two years with a Tunisian company, was crucial in managing the difficult landing.

“It was not an easy matter at all. When a pilot hears this, he will understand that it was not an easy thing to land under such conditions. Thank God we made it safely,” he said.