AFCON: Nigerians expect heavy Libya sanctions as CAF gives verdict

The Confederation of African Football will on Wednesday (today) announce its verdict on the botched AFCON Group D qualifying tie between Libya and Nigeria, which was scheduled to be held on October 15 at Benina Martyrs Stadium, Benina.

The match initially set for Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi had been moved to the 10,000-capacity facilities about 10 kilometres from Benghazi on the eleventh hour following Libya’s 1-0 loss to the Super Eagles at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, three days later.

The Nigerian team did not only have its flight diverted by the Libyan authorities, with the pilot directed to land at Al-Abraq Airport, where they were taken hostage for almost 18 hours without food and water before returning to the country on Monday fatigued and malnourished.

The Nigeria Football Federation lodged a complaint with CAF, with the football body putting the match on hold and referring the case to its Disciplinary Committee.

On Tuesday, CAF Executive Committee held a hearing for all parties in Ethiopia before deciding on the case on Wednesday (today).

President of the Libya Football Association, Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, spoke to the Executive Committee about the obstacles they faced in Nigeria: “Despite all of that, the Libyan team played the match and lost it by a single goal.”

Al-Shalmani pointed out to the hearing committee Libya’s warm reception of the African teams, and Al-Shalmani gave the hearing committee an example of Libya’s reception of the recent Sudan and Ghana match at Benina Stadium.

From the Nigerian side, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation and CAF Executive Committee member and current member of FIFA, Amaju Pinnick, made a number of accusations against Libya, supported by a number of members such as Senegalese Augustin Senghor, Cameroonian Seidou Mbombo Njoya, and Sierra Leonean Isha Johansen.

As the football world eagerly awaits the verdict, PUNCH Sports Extra sought the opinions of some Nigerian football stakeholders, who unanimously agreed that Libya should be heavily sanctioned.

Former Chairman, Nigeria Premier League and 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, said, “With the primary evidence from the pilot, I believe Nigeria have a very good case because diverting the flight by instructing the pilot to land elsewhere that was not in the original schedule as at the time of departure offends the aviation rules.

“If one goes by their complaint of not being treated fairly during the first leg in Nigeria, which they didn’t complain officially to CAF as a yardstick, that only is enough proof that amounts to retaliation, and you know it is a known rule that is not allowed in football because retaliation is a straight red card.

“I expect CAF to clamp down heavily on Libya because they also subjected the Super Eagles to slavery and inhuman treatment, which the African Charter frowns on.

These assertions were corroborated by David Doherty, a UK-based football administrator and one of the contestants for the NFF presidency at the last election.

He said, “Personally, I think CAF should sanction Libya or hand them a hefty fine with the condition that all their matches going forward will be played outside of Libya. I think CAF is likely to be fair in their approach to this matter, considering other factors, i.e., Arab influence, etc. However, I will wait to see what they dish out tomorrow.”

The followings are the takes of other respondents who commented on a report on the subject matter published by PUNCH Sports Extra on Tuesday.

Kazeem Anjorin: “The Confederation of African Football (CAF) must take appropriate and decisive action in response to the reported inhumane treatment of the Nigerian team by Libyan officials. It is crucial that CAF addresses this situation with the seriousness it deserves, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. Disciplinary measures should be robust enough to prevent any recurrence of such unfriendly and unprofessional behaviour, fostering a spirit of fairness and respect within African football.”

Philip Garba: “Abeg, all those countries are not supposed to be part of Africa. I just wonder who pushed them to this continent.”

Matthew Ekemini: “We are waiting for the decision.”

Abubakar Umar: “We no dey go to Libya again.”

Ogadinma Adiele: “Libya should forget any form of reply; the three points should be forfeited to Nigeria.”

John Michae: “They will reschedule the match to be played either in Tunisia or Egypt.”

Felix Akpofure: “Please, the decision should be on neutral ground.”