The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reached out to the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) requesting specific documentation related to the cancellation of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Group D against Nigeria.

The Super Eagles were scheduled to face Libya on October 15 but withdrew from the fixture after a harrowing incident.

Their flight was redirected to Labraq Airport, where players endured an alarming 18-hour ordeal.

During this time, they were held in a restricted area without access to the internet, food, or water, which led to their decision to forfeit the match.

Nasser Al-Suwaie, the Secretary-General of the LFF and the official overseeing the federation’s operations has confirmed that CAF has set a deadline of October 20 for both the Libyan and Nigerian football associations to submit the necessary documents related to this incident.

In a statement, Al-Suwaie indicated that the LFF has engaged a legal representative to compile and present evidence supporting their case.

Al-Suwaie has also raised concerns about possible collusion from certain factions within CAF, expressing confidence in the strength of the Libyan Federation’s position.

He emphasized that the LFF is not responsible for the aircraft’s change in flight path that led to the unscheduled landing at Al-Abraq Airport.

According to him, this decision was made at the level of the Libyan state, and he stressed that the sovereignty of Libya should be acknowledged and respected by all parties involved.

This situation highlights the complexities surrounding international sports events, especially in regions where political and security issues intersect with athletic competitions.

The implications of such incidents extend beyond football, impacting diplomatic relations and national pride.

The outcome of the CAF’s investigation and the subsequent actions of both football federations will be closely watched as they unfold in the coming days.