The Tunisian pilot responsible for flying the Nigerian team to Libya has clarified the circumstances behind the unexpected diversion of their flight to the remote Al-Abraq Airport, instead of their original destination, Benghazi.
The controversy has lingered since Sunday, when the Nigerian delegation, en route for a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, found themselves stranded for over 16 hours after the diversion.
In a video interview shared on X by sports journalist Pooja Media, the pilot explained that the decision to change course was not his but came from Libyan authorities.
“The flight plan was to land in Benghazi, and we had approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority. However, during descent, we were instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which is nearly 150 miles away,” the pilot explained. He also emphasized that Al-Abraq was not listed as an alternate airport, a situation he found troubling, especially due to fuel concerns.
According to the pilot, the diversion posed significant safety risks as fuel calculations were made for the Benghazi landing. “In aviation, we plan for fuel according to our destination. I raised concerns multiple times, asking to stick to the flight plan, but I was told it was an order from the highest authority,” he added, stressing that all communications are documented and available for verification.
Describing the conditions at Al-Abraq, the pilot noted the lack of essential landing equipment, such as an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and air navigation aids, making the nighttime landing particularly dangerous. His two years of experience working in the region helped him manage the difficult situation, ensuring a safe landing.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from the qualifier match, with plans being made to fly the team back home.
