Nigeria apologises to Libya

Nigeria has issued a formal apology to Libya for the recent incident involving their national football team.

The controversy began when Nigeria’s Football Association refused to play the second leg of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match in Libya, citing concerns about the team’s safety and well-being.

This decision sparked outrage in Libya, with their Football Federation condemning Nigeria’s actions and vowing to protect their team’s interests.

In an effort to mend relations, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar rang his Libyan counterpart, Abdelhadi Al-Huwaij, to express his sincere regrets.

Tuggar emphasised that the incident was an oversight and not a deliberate act of disrespect towards Libya or its people. He reassured Al-Huwaij of Nigeria’s respect for Libya and its commitment to maintaining their strong, longstanding relationship.

Al-Huwaij accepted the apology and confirmed that the Nigerian delegation had been treated well in Libya, receiving full support for their safe return home. He also emphasised the importance of the two nations’ continued friendship.

This incident highlights the delicate balance between sport and diplomacy, where actions on the pitch can have significant repercussions off it. Both countries have expressed a desire to move forward, focusing on their shared history of positive relations.