Libya’s CAF Executive Committee member, Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, has voiced sharp discontent following the testimony given by Tunisian pilot Abdellatif Merchergui in Nigeria’s favor regarding the troubled ValueJet flight that transported Nigeria’s delegation to the October Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya. Al-Shalmani is now threatening legal action against Merchergui, escalating tensions in an episode that already spotlights complex regional and diplomatic undercurrents.
Captain Merchergui, who also serves as Acting Head of Flight Operation at ValueJet, was a key witness for Nigeria. His testimony supported Nigeria’s stance on the contentious series of events that disrupted the qualifier, a match that ended in a diplomatic tangle. Merchergui’s account was pivotal in the hearing, and Nigeria is reportedly relying on his insights to counter Libyan claims of alleged procedural errors and logistical missteps on Nigeria’s part.
Al-Shalmani, though not an aviation specialist, labeled Merchergui’s statements as “false and slanderous.” According to Al-Shalmani, the Tunisian pilot’s testimony showed an apparent bias toward Nigeria, allegedly betraying diplomatic norms between Tunisia and Libya. He further argued that Merchergui’s statements disregarded the “rules of integrity and honesty,” raising questions about the pilot’s impartiality.
In a public announcement that has stirred significant media coverage, Al-Shalmani shared plans to initiate a formal complaint against Merchergui. Al-Shalmani insists that the pilot’s statements served Nigerian interests, undermining the integrity of Libya’s account of the events. “We will not sit by while integrity is sacrificed for regional favoritism,” Al-Shalmani declared.
The Libyan official also accused Nigeria of using the star power of its international players to generate sympathy on the global stage. He contends that Nigeria is leveraging the fame of its professional athletes to create an impression that they were targets of alleged Libyan hostility or conspiracy. This, he argues, has swayed international opinion unfairly toward the Nigerian side.
Adding to the friction, Al-Shalmani criticized the Nigerian media’s portrayal of Libya as aggressors, suggesting that this was a calculated strategy to cast Libya in a negative light. The CAF official noted that this narrative conflicts with Libya’s interpretation of the incident and implied that Nigerian officials are trying to cover up certain facts about the disrupted flight.
The claims by Al-Shalmani echo sentiments shared by Libyan outlets, including Libya Akhbar, which reported that Al-Shalmani sees the Nigerian narrative as a distraction tactic. According to Al-Shalmani, the pilot’s statements have become a flashpoint for escalating diplomatic strain, and he remains firm in his commitment to pursue all legal avenues to address the alleged misrepresentation.
As the situation develops, both CAF and other stakeholders may soon weigh in, as this dispute now transcends football. With Nigeria set on defending its delegation’s position and Libya challenging the credibility of a key witness, this unfolding saga may have broader implications for CAF’s regulatory and diplomatic responsibilities in African football.
The unfolding of Al-Shalmani’s complaint and any subsequent legal actions will be closely watched across African sports and diplomatic communities alike, as both countries await resolution on what began as a football fixture and has now become a transnational incident.
