2025 AFCON Qualifier: CAF Probes Super Eagles’ Ugly Treatment By Libya
- North African nation risk sanctions
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has condemned the unfortunate treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles by Libya following their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) second leg qualification match that was slated to take place today, Tuesday, October 15 at Benghazi.
In condemning how the Super Eagles were made to go through harrowing experience in the North African country, the continental football’s governing body, has launched full-scale investigation into the Libya airport incident.
A CAF’s statement issued on Monday, stated thus; “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.
“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.”
Football pundits and enthusiasts believe findings by the Disciplinary Board and its eventually outcome will set a critical precedent and further demonstrate to football stakeholders in Africa that there are serious consequences for such misconduct.
Already, there are conversations in football circles that aside from possible award or deduction of points, the CAF probe should deliver sound judgment aimed at moving football activities in the continent forward in a competitive and ethically logical space.
For many commentators, without any tough sanctions against perpetrators of the unfortunate development, CAF will be risking a situation where some host football federation will automatically make it a new normal to orchestrate poor treatment of teams traveling across the continent and inadvertently putting a blight on African football and generally dampening the spirit of sportsmanship.
Interestingly, arguments are being advanced that CAF should use this singular incident to push for “improved standards, better logistical planning, and stricter accountability to ensure football thrives both on and off the pitch”.
Meanwhile, the football community is now awaiting the decision by CAF on Nigeria’s unexpected boycott of the match in Benghazi. The Super Eagles currently lead the Group D table with seven points following their recent 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Libyans are bottom placed in the group with only one point, and could potentially be awarded the three points if CAF rules the match a forfeit. The African football ruling body may also decide to reschedule the match in a neutral venue or possibly suspend the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) from its activities in the interim.
With its acknowledgement of the ugly situation while working with Libyan and Nigerian authorities to resolve the issue, the football world would no doubt waiting for the Disciplinary Committee to send a strong message on how not to run football activities in Africa.
CAF has been inundated with complaints and called that the Libyan authorities must be held accountable for leaving such a sour taste in the mouths of football-loving people across the continent.
Reports by Goal.com stated that in this day and age, where opponents should be made to feel welcome, not abandoned away from home, such unacceptable treatment should not be happening.
The reports further canvassed that Libya must not escape sanctions for tarnishing the CAF brand in order to ensure such incidents do not happen again while also and maintaining the integrity of the sport across the continent.
