The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has expressed outrage and is demanding a formal apology from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Super Eagles following the abrupt abandonment of their scheduled friendly match.
The match, which was set to take place at a neutral venue, was meant to foster goodwill and serve as preparation for both teams ahead of upcoming qualifiers. However, the Super Eagles reportedly failed to honor the fixture, leaving the Libyan team and officials stranded, prompting backlash from the LFF.
LFF: “Unprofessional and Disrespectful”
In an official statement released by the LFF, the federation described Nigeria’s decision to abandon the match as unprofessional and disrespectful, saying it undermines the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect between nations.
“It is deeply disappointing that the Nigerian national team failed to show up without any official explanation or prior notice,” the statement read. “This behavior is unacceptable in international football, and we expect a formal apology from the Nigeria Football Federation to the people of Libya and our players.”
The LFF further criticized the disruption, stating that the match was an important component of their team’s preparatory program for upcoming competitions.
Super Eagles’ Camp Silent
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to provide a detailed explanation or respond publicly to the allegations made by the LFF. There are reports that logistical or organizational issues may have been involved, though these remain unconfirmed.
Sources within the Super Eagles’ camp suggested that disagreements over travel arrangements and match logistics could have contributed to the last-minute cancellation. However, many fans and analysts argue that such challenges should have been addressed beforehand to avoid international embarrassment.
Backlash from Nigerian Fans
The incident has also sparked criticism from Nigerian football fans, who have expressed frustration over the handling of the situation. “It’s embarrassing for a team of the Super Eagles’ caliber to abandon a match like this,” said one fan on social media. “We expect better coordination from the NFF.”
Others are concerned that the situation could harm Nigeria’s football reputation and negatively affect future engagements with other national teams.
FIFA Regulations and Possible Sanctions
The LFF hinted that it might report the matter to FIFA, which could lead to sanctions if the NFF is found guilty of violating match agreements. FIFA’s regulations require federations to honor agreed fixtures, and failure to do so could attract fines or other penalties.
A Call for Resolution
Football analysts are urging both federations to resolve the issue amicably, as prolonged tension could affect future collaborations. “It’s important that both sides handle this diplomatically,” said sports analyst Ibrahim Farouk. “Apologies and clarifications can help restore trust and avoid further complications.”
As the football community awaits an official statement from the NFF, the spotlight remains on how Nigeria’s football authorities will address the situation and repair relations with Libya.
Stay tuned to VOP News for the latest developments on this unfolding story.