Libya is gripped by anticipation as the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Disciplinary Board prepares to deliver its findings on the disrupted Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria, as reported by Sportblog247.com.

The controversy erupted after a ValueJet aircraft carrying the Nigerian national team was unexpectedly diverted, leading to a 20-hour ordeal in which the team was reportedly stranded without food or water, forced to sleep on chairs and the bare floor. Libyan authorities initially cited “passport system issues” as the reason for the delay.

The case took a new turn following a video statement from Tunisian pilot Captain Abdellatif Merchergui, who claimed that despite official clearance to land in Benghazi, Libyan authorities instructed the flight to divert to an airport 300 kilometers away. Merchergui explained, “The flight plan was to land at Benghazi, and we had approval from Libyan authorities, but when we were close, we were told to divert.”

He also emphasized, “In aviation, we can’t hide anything…I asked Libyan civil aviation at least eight times, but they repeated that we could not land there. We have all the evidence, and it is well documented.”

In response, Libyan Football Association officials submitted navigation records and technical documents to CAF, explaining the redirection from Labraq Airport rather than the designated Benina Airport in Benghazi. Libya’s CAF Executive Committee member, Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, publicly refuted Merchergui’s claims, describing them as “false and slanderous,” and hinted at potential legal action, accusing the pilot of breaching diplomatic protocol.

CAF’s upcoming ruling is highly anticipated, as Libya faces possible forfeiture of the match if the decision favours Nigeria.