CAF delists Nigeria vs Libya AFCON qualifier

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially delisted the Group D second-leg match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, which was scheduled for Tuesday in Benghazi.

The African football body had updated matches that would be played on Tuesday without including the Libya versus Nigeria game on its X handle.

The decision follows a series of events after the first leg, where Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The Super Eagles faced significant challenges upon arrival in Libya, spending over 14 hours at the airport, leading to their decision to boycott the return leg. The Nigerian team was diverted to Al-Abraq Airport, approximately 230 kilometres from their intended destination, Benghazi.

Nigerian officials reported that their delegation was subjected to “inhumane treatment,” with no access to basic amenities during their prolonged wait at the airport.

Captain William Troost-Ekong publicly announced that the team would not undertake a three-hour bus journey to the match venue for safety reasons.

“As the team captain, I have decided that we will NOT play this game. Let them have the points,” he stated on social media, stressing concerns over security and the quality of accommodations.

CAF has since launched an investigation into the incident following allegations of sabotage made by the Libya Football Federation, which also hinted at potential legal action against Nigeria.

In a statement, CAF expressed its seriousness regarding the “disturbing and unacceptable experiences” faced by the Nigerian team and confirmed communication with both the Libyan and Nigerian authorities.

The Libyan Football Federation refuted any claims of wrongdoing, stating, “There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident.”

It stressed their commitment to fair play and respect for Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Victor Ikpeba, a former African footballer accompanying the Nigerian team, called for stringent sanctions against Libya, asserting that the nation should be banned from international competition. He shared his disbelief at the conditions faced by the team, stating, “We were locked up in an abandoned airport for more than 10 hours like hostages.”

The Nigerian delegation has since returned home, confirming their departure from Al-Abraq Airport for Kano and subsequently to Abuja. CAF has also updated its schedule, omitting the Nigeria-Libya match from the fixtures to be played on Tuesday.