Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has expressed his disapproval of the treatment experienced by Nigeria’s Super Eagles upon their arrival in Libya ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier match. During a press conference, Motsepe condemned the “inhuman” incident where the Nigerian national team was held at the airport for over 20 hours before their match scheduled for October 15, 2024, against Libya.
Motsepe emphasized that the situation is under investigation, and while he refrained from providing specific comments until CAF reaches a formal decision, he reiterated the need for sportsmanship and respect in international football. “We should have zero tolerance,” Motsepe said, addressing the ongoing issues of unfair treatment towards visiting teams during international fixtures. He further highlighted that similar problems have existed for some time, with visiting teams often facing unnecessary hurdles, including delays and questionable health protocols aimed at disrupting their gameplay.
The Nigerian squad’s flight was reportedly diverted from Benghazi to a smaller, less equipped airport, causing additional delays and discomfort for the players and staff. The Super Eagles eventually opted not to play the match after the ordeal at the Libyan airport, leaving the AFCON qualifier unresolved pending a CAF verdict.
