2025 AFCONQ: CAF Investigates Nigeria-Libya Saga
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has commenced an investigation into an incident that left the Super Eagles stranded at an airport overnight in Libya following their arrival for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.
In a statement, the Confederation characterized the “ordeal” the Nigerian players were subjected to as “disturbing and unacceptable”.
It characterised the incident as a “very serious light” on Monday, October 14, 2024.
It has therefore referred the case to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation, adding that appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (“Super Eagles”) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.”
On Monday, Nigeria boycotted the second leg of their game against Libya after spending over 16 hours at Al Abraq airport said to be 250 km away from Benghazi where the match was scheduled to take place.
Reports say the team was initially scheduled to land in Benghazi; however, it was changed midway.
“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.
“Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation (LFF) failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi,” the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) recounted in a statement.
The incident has been perceived by Nigeria as intentional and a payback after Libya’s captain Faisal Al-Badri last week claimed they had been mistreated in Nigeria when they visited for the first leg of the game.
However, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) rejects the claim noting, “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.”
The Nigeria players have since returned home.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
