Libyan authorities redirected Super Eagles flight at last minute, pilot reports
The pilot of the Nigerian team has provided further details on the controversy surrounding the crisis between Nigerian authorities and Libya over the treatment of the Super Eagles.
The unexpected diversion of the flight to a remote airport, Al-Abraq, instead of their intended destination, Benghazi, has sparked controversy between Nigeria and Libya.
While the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) alleged that the move was “intentional,” the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied mistreating the Super Eagles, attributing the crisis to a logistical hitch.
In a video interview posted on X by sports journalist Pooja Media on Tuesday, the pilot emphasized that the decision was not made at his discretion but came from Libyan authorities.
“The flight plan was to land at Benghazi, Benina, and we had the approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority to do so,” the pilot stated. “However, when we began our descent, they instructed us to divert to Al-Abraq, which is almost 150 miles away, around 300 kilometers east. It wasn’t even listed as our alternate airport, which is not ideal,” he added.
READ ALSO: CAF investigates Super Eagles experience at Libyan airport
The pilot described the diversion as potentially risky, citing the fuel calculations made for the initial destination. “In aviation, we have our flight plan, and we calculate the fuel to our destination, so we have to avoid this kind of thing because it may pose a safety breach,” he stated, adding that he repeatedly questioned the directive.
“When I asked to land in Benghazi according to my flight plan and my authorization, they said no, it’s from the highest authority; you have to land in Al-Abraq,” he explained.
Refuting claims from the media that the diversion was his decision, he said, “Everything is recorded in aviation; we cannot hide anything. I asked them several times, at least eight times, and I warned them that I might be in trouble regarding fuel. They said it’s from the highest authority; you cannot land in Benghazi, you have to divert immediately to Al-Abraq.”
The pilot noted that all relevant communications and authorizations are documented and could be provided as evidence if needed. “The truth is 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 minds and changed the airport.”
Describing the conditions at Al-Abraq, the pilot highlighted 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 VHF (Very High Frequency) Omnidirectional Range. We had to make a visual landing, which is particularly difficult at 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 understands that it was not an easy thing to land under such conditions. Thank God we made it safely,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to withdraw the Super Eagles from the qualifying match against Libya. “Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement said.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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