The Confederation of African football (CAF) have reacted to the situation in Libya, where the Super Eagles have been stranded at a local airport for many long hours before tomorrow’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against the home team.
The entourage from Nigeria was left stranded for over 13 hours at the Al-Abraq airport after their flight was diverted on it way to Benghazi just an hour before its scheduled landing.
Reports claims the Libyan airport authority had placed the team in unfavorable conditions ahead of the return fixture, in Benghazi. With players and the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, calling out the dismissive reception by the Libyan officials.
Following several appeals by the NFF, and and outcry on social media by players from the Super Eagles senior team as well as journalists, the regulating body for football in Africa has released a statement.
CAF’s head of communications, Lux September, said:
“CAF is aware of this matter and is in touch with both teams.”
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” read a statement on CAF’s website.
The NFF fired a formal complaint to the continental ruling body yesterday.
Nigerian Sports Minister John Enoh said what was paramount was the safety of the team in Libya and not CAF insistence that the match still go ahead.
“This morning I was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General,” he said in a statement.
“While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team participate in tomorrow’s match, I have instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first, the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.”
“There must be a serious adverse conseqùence to the Libyan football federation for this unspeakable behaviour.”
“This cannot be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation”.
