A spicy dimension has been added to the reverse fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations between Nigeria and Libya, with each sides accusing the other of pre-match travel sabotage.
The Super Eagles' airplane, which was originally scheduled to land in Benghazi for the second leg of the two-match series, was diverted to a different airport 240 kilometres east, according to team spokesman Promise Efoghe.
"About an hour to landing, the Nigerian aircraft approaching its destination Benghazi was diverted to another city more than two-hour drive from the original destination," Efoghe said.
Libyan authorities could not be reached for comment on why the Nigerian aircraft was diverted, while the delegations of Ghana and Sudan, who are playing the same day in the same city, were allowed to land.
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong tweeted on Monday: "12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.
"They've locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games."
Conversely, Libya captain Faisal Al-Badri claimed that the team were treated badly in Nigeria ahead of the Super Eagles' 1-0 win, and called for 'reciprocity'.
"Our luggage was searched inside the plane for an hour, and we were also delayed in transportation from one city to another for three hours, even though we travelled on a private plane, and there was an airport close to the city we wanted to play in," he said.
"After a long time, three non-air-conditioned minibuses and a police car arrived, in addition to two cars from the Libyan embassy.
"The question is, how long will we continue to receive this kind of reception? While other teams are received in the best airports and hotels, should we always be patient in the face of these things?
"We have suffered from this problem for many years, and although we are willing to tolerate it, there must be a solution to these practices. We demand that the relevant authorities look into these actions, and we express the need for reciprocity."
But those claims were disputed by the NFF. Emmanuel Ayabunmi, the NFF's Director of Protocol, told ESPN that the Libyans were the architects of their own chaos.
Ayabunmi said: "I spoke to the General Secretary of LFF, at length, on Monday and he never hinted that his team would be arriving on Tuesday (the following day). He only said he would get back to me but he never did.
"On Monday evening, someone sent as an advance party by the LFF called me and said his team would be arriving on Tuesday by noon. We made all arrangements to receive the team in Uyo on arrival.
"It was only an hour after the team was airborne that he told me the delegation would be landing in Port Harcourt. That disrupted so many things, but we still raced on hurdles to get approval from federal authorities to allow their plane to fly them to Uyo once they concluded immigration formalities in Port Harcourt.
"Apparently, that would have meant additional cost to the LFF from the charter company, and they didn't want that, so they preferred to travel from Port Harcourt to Uyo by road."
The issue leaked into the game, where the teams spent most of the game in time-wasting gamesmanship, until Fisayo Dele-Bashiro broke the deadlock with four minutes of time left. And they were left incensed when the referee added just four minutes of additional time.
Nigeria coach Austin Eguavoen says his team would not be distracted by the off-field shenanigans for the second fixture: "As someone who travelled around Africa playing for the national team, and also coached, we have seen worse things.
"We just have to keep the boys focused and rested and prepared for the game. We have a task to get six points from these two games. We have done half of it, now we have to focus on doing the other half. It is unfortunate that things like this are still allowed to happen, but we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted."
Eguavoen's immediate task is to fashion out how to get the best out of misfiring forward Victor Boniface. The former defender has backed his striker to get goals if he plays more direct, and said he would need some help from the bench.
"Boniface is a good finisher, a clinical striker, but he has struggled in national colours," Eguavoen acknowledged. "Sometimes these chances don't come easy.
"I remember it happened in Rwanda and again against Libya. When you get a half chance, a striker like Romario would toe-poke the ball. But he wants to dress it and then the defenders recover. So if he decides on time, I think he will score a lot of goals. I will speak to him about it."
With Taiwo Awoniyi not faring any better after coming on, Eguavoen's options appear limited, and he is likely to give the Bayer Leverkusen man another chance to show he can fill the big boots of injured Victor Osimhen.
Nigeria's recent away record in qualifying have been less than flattering, but Eguavoen has shown a knack for navigating the perilous waters of African football.
Three points in Libya would seal qualification, but he and his team would be just as happy with one, which would leave them with more than enough runway to finish the job on the next qualifying pass.