The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed allegations of poor treatment made by Libya’s national team captain, Faisal Al-Badri, regarding their arrival in Nigeria for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The NFF insists that the Libyan team is responsible for the confusion surrounding their travel plans.
Miscommunication at the Heart of the Issue
According to NFF’s Assistant Director of Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) failed to communicate their travel itinerary in a timely manner. “We were only informed three hours before their arrival that they were landing in Port Harcourt, not Uyo as expected,” Ayanbunmi stated. The NFF had made arrangements based on prior discussions with the LFF’s General Secretary, who did not mention any changes until it was too late.
Details of the Arrival
The Libyan team arrived in Nigeria two days ago, aiming to face the Super Eagles in the first leg of their AFCON qualifiers. Upon arrival, Al-Badri claimed that Nigerian officials hindered what could have been a smooth transition. He reported delays in luggage checks and transportation, stating they were forced to travel by road for about two hours from Port Harcourt to Uyo.
In response, Ayanbunmi clarified that while they had arranged transportation for the Libyan team, the LFF opted to hire their own buses instead. “If they traveled on buses without air conditioning, that’s entirely their own doing. We provided adequate security and transport arrangements,” he concluded.
Community Reaction and Implications
The NFF’s rebuttal comes amid rising tensions between the two teams as they prepare for their next encounter. Fans and analysts have taken to social media to express support for both teams while highlighting the importance of clear communication in international sports.
As Nigeria leads Group D with four points from two matches, this incident adds another layer of complexity to an already competitive AFCON qualification campaign. The Super Eagles are set to face Libya again soon, and both teams will be eager to put this travel debacle behind them as they focus on securing a spot in the upcoming tournament scheduled for Morocco.
Conclusion
The NFF remains confident in its preparations as Nigeria looks forward to its next match against Libya. As both teams navigate these challenges, fans will be eagerly watching how this situation unfolds on and off the pitch.
