AFCON: Probe into Nigeria-Libya clash ongoing, CAF president says

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has announced that a thorough investigation is underway regarding the recent issues surrounding Nigeria’s AFCON qualifier against Libya. 

During a press conference following the 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Motsepe emphasized CAF’s commitment to upholding sportsmanship and fair play in African football.

His remarks come in response to the challenging conditions faced by the Nigerian national team during their trip to Libya, which raised serious concerns about player safety and equitable treatment.

Nigeria encountered numerous obstacles during their travel, including a flight reroute, over an 18-hour delay at the airport, and logistical complications that significantly hindered the team’s preparation for the match.

Players, including team captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Victor Osimhen, expressed their frustration over the situation, while defender Kenneth Omeruo labeled the decision to play in Libya as “terrible,” citing the country’s ongoing instability.

Although Motsepe refrained from commenting directly on the Nigeria-Libya circumstances, he confirmed that the incident is currently under investigation.

He stated, “It’s because when there was this problem with the Nigerian national team in Libya, and I will not comment on that, because there’s a proper investigation.

But I want to emphasise a principle that we will not tolerate, because this is something that has been going on for quite some time.

“Your national team, let me emphasise, forget about the Nigeria and Libya situation, because that process has been properly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken.”

He further highlighted that such issues have been recurring in African football, where visiting teams are sometimes treated poorly.

“Too many stories have been told of national teams or football clubs going to a country, and they spend hours at the airport, being asked about documents that don’t exist,” Motsepe said.

During his remarks, the CAF President emphasised the importance of treating visiting teams with respect and dignity, pointing to the principle of fairness in competition.

“But it’s this lack of sportsmanship that has existed and we haven’t taken effective action, but I just want to repeat, we are proud of those nations that treat visiting national teams and football clubs with the respect and dignity they deserve,” he added.

Motsepe also stressed that CAF is reviewing its regulations and will enforce stricter measures to ensure that incidents like the one involving Nigeria in Libya do not recur.

“If there are violations of those regulations and those rules, we will take action,” he said, adding that sportsmanship remains a core value in African football.