CAF President Patrick Motsepe has provided an update on the troubling situation faced by Nigeria’s Super Eagles during their recent trip to Libya. The team endured a harrowing 20-hour ordeal at a Libyan airport ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
During the CAF General Congress in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, Motsepe addressed the growing concerns assuring that the situation is under investigation and pledged that CAF would take “appropriate action” once the process is completed.
“We are investigating the incident thoroughly, and appropriate action will be taken,” Motsepe stated, as reported by Osasu Obayiuwana.
According to Libya Al-Ahrar Channel, the apex continental football body will announce the final decision regarding the players’ ordeal during the first leg in Nigeria in October, which ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles and the reverse fixture that would have held at the 10,550-capacity, Libya’s first all-seater stadium.
READ ALSO: PDP Crisis: Bala Mohammed’s Faction Seeks Court Order For NEC Meeting
The outlet also revealed that the Libyan Football Federation submitted all the documents it collected with a specialised lawyer assigned by the body to supervise the Libyan file with the Confederation of African Football.
The Super Eagles’ troubles began when their flight, en route to Benghazi for the return leg of their AFCON qualifier, was unexpectedly diverted to a smaller airport. Upon landing, the Nigerian players and officials were detained for nearly 24 hours without proper explanation, preventing them from honouring the fixture.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong took to social media, calling for help and announcing that the team would no longer play the match due to the dangerous and hostile conditions they encountered.
READ ALSO: Kano Chief Judge Orders Release Of 37 Inmates To Decongest Correctional Facility
The incident sparked widespread criticism of CAF’s decision to allow Libya to host the match, given the unstable conditions in the country. Although CAF later confirmed that the match would not proceed, many fans and stakeholders expressed outrage over the situation.
