The Tunisian pilot who flew the Nigerian national football team to Libya has provided crucial details regarding the unexpected diversion of their flight to Al-Abraq, a remote airport nearly 300 kilometers east of their intended destination, Benghazi.
The Nigerian delegation, en route for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, found themselves stranded for over 16 hours following the diversion.
In a video interview shared by Sports Analyst Festus Dada on X (formerly Twitter), the pilot clarified that the decision to divert the flight was made by Libyan authorities, not him.
He explained that the original flight plan was to land at Benghazi’s Benina Airport, with prior approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority.
“The flight plan was to land at Benghazi, Benina, and we had approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority. However, as we began our descent, we were instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which wasn’t even listed as our alternate airport. This decision came from the highest Libyan authorities, not me,” the pilot said.
The unexpected diversion raised serious safety concerns. The pilot explained that the fuel onboard had been calculated based on their original destination, and the last-minute change could have posed risks.
“In aviation, we calculate fuel based on our destination. Diverting unexpectedly can compromise safety. I repeatedly questioned the directive and warned them about fuel limitations, but they insisted that we land at Al-Abraq, citing orders from the highest authority,” he added.
The pilot firmly denied media reports suggesting that the diversion was his decision, emphasizing that all aviation communications are recorded and available for review.
“Everything is documented. I asked to land in Benghazi as per my flight plan, but they denied it, instructing me to divert immediately,” he stressed.
He also highlighted the difficulties of landing at Al-Abraq, describing it as an ill-equipped airport lacking essential navigation tools, including an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR), which are crucial for safe landings, especially in poor weather conditions.
“I had to make a visual landing, which is risky, especially in those conditions. It was not easy, but fortunately, we landed safely,” the pilot said, noting that his familiarity with the region helped him manage the situation.
Following the ordeal, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to pull the Super Eagles out of the qualifier match against Libya.
“The players have resolved not to play the match, and NFF officials are now making arrangements to fly the team back home,” read a statement from the NFF.
