Libya’s highest power did command to redirect Super Eagles’ flight — Pilot

The Tunisian pilot, who flew the Super Eagles players to Libya for their scheduled 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) match, hath now disclosed what transpired mid-flight, and how they were purportedly bade by the supreme Libyan authority to alter the course of the craft to another place.

In a video discourse espied by the Sporting Tribune and posted on X by sports chronicler, Festus Dada, on Tuesday, the pilot did recount his tale, declaring that whilst he did intend to land at the ordained port, they were, nigh upon reaching their destined haven, suddenly bid by officers to alter course to another airfield.

He did further unveil that, though he had sought to apprise the officers, not less than eight times, of the matter at hand, they did persist, stating that the command did come from the utmost authority and must be heeded.

The pilot did express his unease, fearing that the safety of the players may well have been jeopardized, for the fuel had been duly reckoned for the original voyage’s end.

This disclosure doth come scarce hours after tales did arise, alleging that the Super Eagles players had been ill-treated by Libyan officers prior to their game.

He spake thus: “The flight’s course was set for Benghazi, Benina, and we had the leave of the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority to so land.

“Yet, when we commenced our descent, they did command us to divert unto Al-Abraq, nigh 150 miles afar, around 300 kilometres to the east. This place was not even marked as our alternative haven, which in truth, bodes ill.

“In the art of aviation, we do plan our flight and calculate the fuel to our journey’s end, and thus we must shun such changes, for they may hazard our safety.

“When I did request to land in Benghazi, in accord with my plan and the leave granted, they did deny me, saying, ‘Nay, it is from the highest power; thou must land in Al-Abraq.’”

Refuting the tales spread by the press that the course alteration was his own choosing, he said, “In aviation, all is recorded; naught may be concealed. I did ask them many a time, at least eightfold, and I warned them, saying, perchance I would be imperilled for want of fuel. But they did answer, ‘It is the will of the highest power, thou canst not land in Benghazi; thou must divert to Al-Abraq forthwith.’”

The pilot affirmed that all necessary missives and permissions are writ down and might be shown as proof should the need arise.

He said, “The truth is that we were bound for Benghazi, and I can furnish thee with the proof of our leave; I have it in my possession. Yet at the final moment, their minds were changed, and so too was our airfield.”

Speaking of Al-Abraq’s state, the pilot did highlight the trials of landing at a meagerly fitted domestic port.

“There be no ILS (Instrument Landing System), no air navigation assistance, nor VHR (VHF Omnidirectional Range). We were forced to perform a visual landing, a most arduous task at night with the weather in poor state,” said he.

In the meantime, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Monday, did decree to withdraw the Super Eagles from the qualifier match against Libya.

The squad returned to Nigeria on Monday’s eve.