CAF address bizarre treatment of Nigeria players at Libya airport

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reacted to the treatment of Nigerian players upon arrival at Al-Abaq airport in Libya ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

CAF, in a statement released on Monday, October 14, 2024, indicated that it has begun an investigation into the incident.

CAF also assured that suitable punishment will be given to any party found guilty of violating their statutes and regulations.

"The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.

"The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations."

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were stranded at Al-Abaq Airport and were made to wait for over 13 hours upon arrival.

As per reports, the team's chartered flight was headed towards the city of Benghazi before it was rerouted to a different location mid-air.

The treatment of the Super Eagles team and officials has raised eyebrows following Libya's complaint that they were poorly treated on their visit to Nigeria for the first leg.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has engaged with CAF and informed them of their intention to boycott the game. The team has departed Libya for Nigeria.

EE/EK