3 hours Ago By Abimbola Falana
Football fans in Nigeria are anxiously waiting for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to reveal its decision today regarding the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya. This match, part of Group D, faced serious issues after the Nigerian team encountered what has been described as unacceptable treatment upon arriving in Libya for the second leg against the Mediterranean Knights last Sunday. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a formal complaint with CAF following an incident where the Super Eagles were reportedly stranded at the airport without any assistance.
A video shared by the Eagles’ media team showed players and officials surrounded by their luggage, seemingly ignored by Libyan airport staff who were engaged in conversations in Arabic. The trouble began when the flight carrying the Nigerian team was unexpectedly redirected to Al Abraq International Airport, over 200 kilometers away from their intended destination in Benina, where the match was scheduled to take place at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium. This airport, mainly used for Hajj operations, lacked basic facilities, which added to the fatigue and frustration experienced by the players and staff.
Compounding the issue was the absence of a welcoming committee and the lack of arranged transportation, forcing the NFF to find alternative travel options. The situation escalated as the Nigerian delegation was stuck at the airport for more than 20 hours without access to food, water, or any means of communication, which led them to consider boycotting the match. In response to the complaints, the Libyan Football Federation claimed that the Nigerian side was not cooperative during both legs of the qualifiers, suggesting that the Libyan team’s experience in Nigeria was equally challenging.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe addressed the matter at a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, stating that a comprehensive investigation is currently underway. As the football community in Nigeria and across Africa waits for CAF’s verdict, the outcome could significantly affect the standings in Group D and the overall dynamics of the tournament qualifications..
