The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Libya and Nigeria, which was supposed to be held in Benina near Benghazi, was abruptly called off after Nigeria withdrew due to safety concerns. The Nigerian delegation cited hostile treatment and poor reception upon their arrival in Libya, which ultimately led to their decision to not proceed with the match.
The Nigerian team reported being detained at a Libyan airport for nearly 16 hours from Sunday to Monday without any assistance from local authorities or the Libyan Football Federation. According to Nigerian officials, there was no one present to officially welcome the team, and they were denied entry into Libya. Despite offering to manage their own logistical arrangements in hopes of resolving the situation, their attempts were unsuccessful, and they were still refused access to the country.
Given the prolonged delay and growing concerns about their safety, Nigeria decided to withdraw from the match entirely, feeling that the conditions were unsuitable and unsafe for their players and staff. This decision raised significant concerns within the Confederation of African Football (CAF), leading to the formation of a disciplinary panel to investigate the incident.
The disciplinary panel is led by Senegal’s Ousmane Kane and includes notable members such as Kenya’s Jane Njeri Onyango (Vice-President), South Africa’s Norman Arendse, Mohamed Mostafa El-mashta from Egypt, and representatives from several other African nations, including Chad, Lesotho, Niger, Uganda, and Sierra Leone. Additionally, Nigeria’s own Justice Roli Daibo Harriman, who serves as the president of CAF’s Appeal Board, will participate in the investigation.
CAF quickly responded to the situation by issuing a statement condemning the treatment of the Nigerian team and expressing its deep concern. The statement read, “CAF views the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team (Super Eagles) at an airport in Libya in a severe light.” CAF vowed to hold those responsible accountable and promised a thorough investigation to address the situation.
The panel is tasked with reviewing all aspects of the incident, including the communication breakdown and the reported lack of support from Libyan officials. Their findings will determine whether disciplinary action will be taken, and if any consequences will follow for the parties involved. With AFCON qualifiers ongoing, the outcome of this investigation may have significant implications for future matches and the relationship between Nigeria and Libya’s football federations.