CAF has postponed its ruling on the Libya-Nigeria AFCON qualifier controversy, leaving both nations in suspense over the outcome.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has left both Libya and Nigeria in suspense by failing to announce a verdict regarding the controversial AFCON qualifying match that was supposed to take place on October 15 at Benina Martyrs Stadium.
The delay follows a video conference held on Wednesday, during which the Disciplinary Committee heard explanations from both parties.
Also read: AFCON 2023: CAF tests Osimhen for drug
Initially, CAF had cancelled the Libya-Nigeria match after the Nigerian national team expressed their grievances regarding the diversion of their flight to Labraq Airport.
The Super Eagles reported being detained for 18 hours without food or water, leading them to protest against their treatment.
According to BeIN Sports, the Disciplinary Committee convened to gather insights from both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Libyan Football Federation (LFF). However, as of now, no decision has been reached.
Nigeria has urged CAF to intervene, claiming that the organisation must address the allegations of mistreatment and ensure the team’s safety and dignity.
The seriousness of the situation has caught the attention of CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who indicated that a thorough investigation is underway.
He stated that the rules for receiving visiting teams are being reviewed, underscoring CAF’s commitment to taking strict actions in such crises.
Motsepe also emphasised that CAF will not tolerate any deviation from established protocols and is dedicated to ensuring fair treatment for all participating teams.
As the football community awaits a ruling, the incident continues to stir concerns about player welfare and the integrity of the sport in Africa.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
