The diversion has been a subject of controversy since Sunday when the Nigerian delegation en route to Benghazi for the crucial Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya were left stranded for over 16 hours after their flight was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations.

In a video interview sighted by our correspondent and posted on X by Sports Journalist Pooja Media on Tuesday, the pilot emphasised that the decision was not made at his discretion but came from Libyan authorities.

“The flight plan was to land at Benghazi, Benina, and we had the approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority to do so,” the pilot said.

However, when we began our descent, they instructed us to divert to Al-Abraq, which is almost 150 miles away, around 300 kilometres east. It wasn’t even (listed as) our alternate airport, something which is not good,” he added.

The pilot described the diversion as potentially risky, citing the fuel calculations made for the initial destination.

“In aviation, we have our flight plan, we calculate the fuel to our destination, so we have to avoid this kind of thing because it may make a breach to safety,” he stated, adding that he repeatedly questioned the directive.

When I asked to land in Benghazi according to my flight plan and according to my authorisation, they said no, it’s from the highest authority, you have to land in Al-Abraq.”

Refuting claims from the media that the diversion was his decision, he said, “Everything is registered in aviation, we cannot hide anything, so I asked them several times, at least eight times, and I warned them, probably I will be in trouble for fuel; they said it’s from highest authority, you cannot land in Benghazi, you have to divert immediately to Al-Abraq,” he added.

The pilot noted that all relevant communications and authorisations are documented and could be provided as evidence if needed.

He said, “The truth was we were going to Benghazi, and I can show you the evidence of the approval, I have it. But at the last minute, they changed their mind and changed the airport.”

Describing the conditions at Al-Abraq, the pilot highlighted the challenges of landing at what he referred to as a poorly equipped domestic airport.

“There is no ILS (Instrument Landing System), no air navigation approach, no VHR (VHF Omnidirectional Range). We had to make a visual landing, which is particularly difficult by night with marginal weather,” he said, adding that the airport’s lack of facilities left them with “no second chances” if the landing had gone wrong.

The pilot’s familiarity with the region, having worked there for two years with a Tunisian company, was crucial in managing the difficult landing.

It was not an easy matter at all. When a pilot hears this, he will understand that it was not an easy thing to land under such conditions. Thank God we made it safely,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to pull the Super Eagles out of qualifier match against Libya.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer, and NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” the statement said.

This followed the recent expiration and subsequent dissolution of the previous Kano Pillars Football Club management board.

The governor stated this in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, on Sunday.

The new board members will serve for an interim period of one year, with the potential for renewal, based on the team’s performance in the upcoming seasons.

The new board has Ali Umar (Nayara Mai Samba), as the Chairman, and Salisu Kosawa as an Honorary member.

Others who will serve as members include Yusuf Danladi (Andy Cole), Nasiru Bello, Muhammad Ibrahim (Hassan West), Muhammad Usman, and Muhammad Gwarzo.

Also, Mustapha Dankura, Ahmad Musbahu, Rabiu Abdullahi and Usman Naisa, while Abubakar Yamalash and Ismail Tangalash are to serve as Media Director and Deputy Media Director respectively.

The governor expressed confidence that these individuals will deploy their wealth of knowledge and experiences that will be instrumental in managing and overseeing the affairs of Kano Pillars FC.

The new board is expected to work closely with the state Ministry of Youth and Sports alongside other relevant stakeholders in the sports industry to promote Kano Pillars FC.

Also, the governor approved the appointment of Nigerian Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, as the Kano State Sports Ambassador.

The soldier who said he  sustained a bullet injury while serving in the North East took to his X handle to express his frustration.

He made his position known while reacting to a post by an X-user, drpenking, who tweeted, “Even Ahmed Musa wey no kick ball once for AFCON follow collect flat, land and OON. Wonderful times.”

Reacting to the post, the soldier, while sharing a picture, wrote, “Yet, as a soldier, I stayed in the North East fighting Boko Haram for four years plus, I was shot and I am still carrying the bullet in me till date, not even a medal from the Army/Nigeria government.”

Tinubu had on Tuesday conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger on every member of the Super Eagles  team that won Silver medal at AFCON.

Tuesday’s encounter comes barely 48 hours after they battled unsuccessfully for the top spot at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations against the host country Côte d’Ivoire.

The all team members and officials were in attendance.

Nigeria lost to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at the AFCON finals played last Sunday.

In a statement he released after the match, Tinubu had commended the team, the coach, the crew and the entire management team for their “hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament,” acknowledging the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the finals.

The President had urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, stressing that “we won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world by our grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.”

“Let this passing event not dispirit us, but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love. To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” Tinubu had said.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, conveyed this sentiment while applauding the team for their impressive triumph over South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in the AFCON semifinals.

In a statement released from Abuja and signed by the Minister’s Special Assistant, Mr. Rabiu Ibrahim, Minister Idris reaffirmed the unwavering support of the nation and its government for the Super Eagles as they strive for success in the tournament.

“The entire nation rallies behind the Super Eagles as they prepare to make history and write their names in gold in African and global football.

“You carry the hopes and aspirations of the entire nation on your shoulders. Nigerians will continue to support and cheer the Super Eagles as they strive for greatness in the final match,” he said.

In the semifinals, the Minister commended the Super Eagles for displaying remarkable talent, determination, and teamwork throughout the match, showcasing the true spirit of Nigerian football, describing their performance as the ‘stuff of legends’.

According to him, through their indomitable spirit in pursuit of victory, the Super Eagles are inches away from clinching the coveted trophy for Nigeria.

Despite a poor display, Nigeria got a 37th-minute own goal after Moses Simon’s cross was smashed into the net by Guinea-Bissau’s defender Opa Sangante. 

The victory places Nigeria in the second position with 7 points in Group A and has earned them qualification to the Round of 16. Guinea-Bissau is leaving the AFCON 2023 after falling to fourth place with zero points.

The Eagles were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute after Victor Osimhen was brought down in the Ivorian defence box.

Defender William Troost-Ekong converted the spot kick to earn the Eagles three points.

Ahead of Nigeria’s second group game against Ivory Coast, Osimhen reveals that securing the AFCON trophy would rank among the best moments of his life, surpassing even his successful stint with Napoli.

Despite having already made history with Napoli and winning individual accolades, Osimhen acknowledges the significance of achieving success on the international stage.

The striker, who led Napoli to their first Scudetto since 1990, emphasizes that winning AFCON would be a pinnacle in his career.

Osimhen, accustomed to the pressure surrounding him, confidently states, “I am the kind of person who doesn’t fold under pressure.”

He attributes his success to aiming high throughout his life and expresses eagerness to contribute to the Super Eagles’ triumph.

Having recently secured the African Player of the Year award, Osimhen reflects on the achievement as a dream come true, emphasizing the hard work, sweat, and tears he invested.

He looks forward to leading the Super Eagles, packed with attacking talent, to their first AFCON crown since 2013 and joining the ranks of Nigerian football greats like Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha.

It’s the first time one country will produce winners of both awards.

Osimhen was named the winner of the CAF Player of The Year Award, becoming the first Nigerian to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999, just as Oshoala claimed a record-extending sixth Women’s Player of The Year as the most successful women’s player in Africa.

Osimhen and Oshoala’s triumphs capped a brilliant night for Nigeria after Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won the women’s Goalkeeper of The Year, while the Falcons were also named the Women’s Team of The Year.

The only upset for Nigeria on the night was Super Falcons Deborah Abiodun losing the Women’s Young Player of The Year award to Morocco and Lille defender Nesryne El Chad. Metz and Sengela’s Lamine Camara won the men’s category.

The honours were decided based on votes by media representatives, coaches and captains of national teams.

After reclaiming the CAF Women’s Champions League for their second title in the three years of the competition, Mamelodi Sundowns were named the Women’s Club of The Year, while Al Ahly also won the men’s category as a reward for winning a record-extending 11th CAF Champions League title in June.

Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi, presented the Inter Club Player of The Year award to AS FAR’s Fatima Tagnaut.

The tension in the room was eased with a performance by Uganda sensational dancers, Ghetto Kids, but the pressure soon returned with the announcement of Nigeria as the Women’s National Team of The Year, ahead of WAFCON winners South Africa and Morocco. The award was not unconnected to the Super Falcons sensational run at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The room became more lively as Morocco was also named the winners of the men’s National Team of The Year for being the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup at the last edition in Qatar 2022.

Al Ahly’s Mahmoud Abdelmenem’s goal against Al Hilal was voted by the fans as the Goal of The Year.

Super Falcons goalkeeping legend Precious Dede handed the Goalkeeper of The Year (Women) award to Falcons and Paris FC safe hands Chiamaka Nnadozie. She won ahead of Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou won the men’s category for his exploits with Morocco at the last World Cup as well as his club Sevilla.

But surprisingly, Nnadozie was not among CAF’s Women’s XI as three Super Falcons players — Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala — made the team. In the men’s team, Victor Osimehn, the only Nigerian, joined Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in a three-man attack.

South Africa’s women’s national team coach Desiree Ellis retained her title as the women’s Coach of The Year while Walid Regragui, who led Morocco to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar won the men’s category.

Also on the list is in-form forward Victor Osimhen, whose 31 goals in all competitions for his club side SSC Napoli helped the Italian giants to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and to their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years.

Osimhen, who tops the strikers’ list, has also recently been honoured with the National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government.

He also received a special ball and jersey from the world football-ruling body, FIFA, for his magnificent season.

The Super Eagles are top of their qualification group with nine points out of four matches, followed by Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs, who have seven points. Leone Stars, who gave the Eagles a tough run in Abuja on Day 1 of the qualification series before succumbing 2-1, are on five points. Sao Tome and Principe, who’ll play the Super Eagles on the final day of the series in September, are at the bottom with only one point.

Nigeria and Sierra Leone will clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, June 18, as Sierra Leone do not have any stadium in their country approved for international matches.

FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United, Nigeria); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC, Nigeria).

Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England), Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands), Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United. Nigeria), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), and Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey).

Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England), Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England), Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)

Forwards: Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy). Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey).