A Tunisian pilot who flew the Nigerian Super Eagles football team to Libya has revealed that Libyan aviation authorities instructed him to divert the plane to an unexpected location. The pilot, flying a chartered ValueJet plane, explained how this sudden change in flight plans created safety concerns due to fuel limitations and inadequate landing facilities at the new destination.
Flight Plan Altered Mid-Descent
According to the pilot, the flight was initially cleared to land in Benghazi, Libya, with all necessary approvals from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority. However, as the plane began its descent, the pilot received instructions to divert the aircraft to Mitiga, an airport located 150 miles away from Benghazi.
“The flight plan was to land in Benghazi. We got the approval from the Libyan civil aviation authority,” the pilot explained. “But when we started the descent, they asked us to divert to Mitiga, which was not even our alternate airport.”
Safety Concerns Over Fuel Reserves
The pilot expressed concern about the sudden change, warning the Libyan authorities that diverting to Mitiga could put the flight at risk due to fuel constraints. He repeatedly questioned the officials, asking for clarification, but was told that the directive came from the highest level of authority in Libya.
“I warned them several times about the fuel situation,” the pilot recounted. “They insisted that we divert to Mitiga immediately, despite the risks.”
Challenging Landing Conditions at Mitiga
Despite the safety concerns, the pilot complied with the instructions and successfully landed the aircraft at Mitiga. However, he noted that the airport lacked key navigational aids, such as an Instrument Landing System (ILS), which made the landing more difficult.
“Mitiga was not well-equipped for our arrival. There was no ILS, and we had to land visually,” the pilot said. “It was a difficult and risky situation.”
Cross-Checking and Transparency in Aviation
The pilot emphasized that there is strict oversight in aviation, with multiple layers of cross-checking and redundancy to ensure safety. He reassured that the flight logs and communications could verify that the diversion was a result of Libyan authorities’ orders.
“There is a lot of cross-checking in aviation. No one can hide this information. The truth will always come out,” he stated.
Super Eagles’ Complaints of Mistreatment
The pilot’s revelation came shortly after members of the Nigerian Super Eagles team reported mistreatment by Libyan authorities. The team, who had traveled for a scheduled match, was stranded at the airport for over 20 hours with no access to food, water, or phone services. Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong described the experience as “disgraceful” and accused the hosts of playing “mind games.”
Super Eagles’ Boycott of the Return Match
Following the ordeal, the Super Eagles refused to participate in the scheduled match against Libya on Tuesday. The Nigerian team returned home after their 1-0 victory against Libya in Uyo on Friday, October 11. The return leg in Libya was scheduled for October 15, but the players boycotted the game due to the unfavorable conditions they experienced.
A Flight and Match Marred by Controversy
The unexpected flight diversion and the subsequent mistreatment of the Super Eagles have raised questions about the handling of the entire situation by Libyan authorities. Both the pilot and the Nigerian football team have expressed their dissatisfaction with the events, highlighting the challenges they faced during their trip to Libya.
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Written By Fortune Davidson