Following a prolonged delay of more than 14 hours and allegations of mistreatment, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are finally set to depart from Libya.

The ordeal, which took place on Sunday, stirred controversy, with both players and officials expressing frustration at the handling of the situation by the host country.

Nigerian sports journalist Tobi Adepoju broke the news on Monday through his X handle, confirming that the Super Eagles were preparing to return to Nigeria.

“We are now boarding to Nigeria. The internet has been hell; hopefully, further updates will drop,” Adepoju posted.

The delays left many players exasperated, with Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi sharing his frustrations on social media, saying, “Me and Libya, I don wash my hands commot. Nothing concerns me and una again. Thank God I’m going back.”

The situation reportedly arose when Libyan authorities allegedly denied the Super Eagles’ chartered flight, operated by ValueJet, permission to refuel and depart. This led to extended hours of waiting at the airport, leaving the team stranded and agitated.

In response to the mounting allegations, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) issued a statement on Monday via X, providing their perspective on the events. They attributed the delay to routine air traffic and logistical issues, dismissing any suggestions of foul play.

“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF said, stressing that the flight’s diversion was a result of procedural air traffic protocols rather than an intentional effort to delay the Nigerian team’s return.

The LFF further contextualised the incident by referencing their own challenges during a recent trip to Nigeria for an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

“It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification,” the LFF added.

Despite the obstacles the Libyan team faced in Nigeria, the federation emphasised that they refrained from making public accusations or questioning the integrity of Nigerian authorities.

The LFF noted that the Super Eagles’ flight was diverted to Al Abraq International Airport instead of Benghazi as initially planned due to air traffic control measures and security checks.

“These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon,” the LFF clarified. The federation reiterated that the delay was not an intentional effort to create difficulties for the Super Eagles.

Acknowledging the 15-hour delay faced by the Nigerian team, the LFF expressed concern but emphasised that logistical challenges of this nature are common in international travel.

They reiterated Libya’s commitment to treating visiting teams with respect, emphasising their hospitality toward other African nations and international delegations.

“We have always prioritised treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve,” the LFF said.

They urged mutual understanding to resolve the matter and stressed football’s role in fostering unity between nations.

“Hosting these events is a great honour for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests. Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football,” the statement concluded.

In the wake of the incident, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally lodged a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya.