Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has condemned the harsh treatment faced by Nigeria’s Super Eagles upon their arrival at Al Abaq Airport in Libya.
The team, in the country for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, was stranded for several hours without access to basic necessities like food, water, or internet.
Following the ordeal, the Super Eagles boycotted the scheduled match and returned to Nigeria, sparking outrage among fans and officials alike.
Addressing the situation during CAF’s 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, Motsepe expressed concern over the incident, stating that an official investigation is already underway.
“We must have zero tolerance for such treatment,” said Motsepe. “Regarding the Nigerian national team in Libya, I will refrain from commenting further until the investigation is completed. But this is a situation that has persisted for far too long.”
Motsepe emphasized that CAF will not tolerate the mistreatment of any football team, whether club or national. “Appropriate action will be taken,” he assured, without delving into specifics about the Libya vs Nigeria incident.
The CAF president acknowledged that similar incidents have been reported across the continent, and stressed the need for improved standards in the handling of teams traveling for international fixtures.
Motsepe’s remarks come as fans and stakeholders call for accountability and reforms in how African football teams are treated during international competitions. CAF’s investigation into the matter is expected to shed more light on the Super Eagles’ ordeal and determine what steps will be taken to prevent future occurrences.
