CAF to Enforce Sanctions Following Super Eagles’ Detention at Libyan Airport — Motsepe
By Okafor Joseph Afam
October 22, 2024
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has assured that appropriate sanctions will be applied following the recent airport ordeal involving the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Libya.
The Nigerian national football team and their officials were detained for several hours at Al Abaq Airport upon their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya. During their detention, they were denied basic necessities like food, water, and internet access, which sparked outrage in the football community.
CAF has since referred the case to its disciplinary committee to determine the proper course of action.
Speaking at the 46th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, Motsepe expressed his concerns without delving into specifics. “We should have zero tolerance. When there was this problem of the Nigerian national team in Libya, I will not comment on that because there is a proper investigation in place,” he stated.
Motsepe’s remarks underline CAF’s commitment to fair play and the protection of teams and officials during international competitions. As the investigation progresses, football fans across the continent are keenly awaiting the outcome, hoping for justice and measures that will prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The Super Eagles’ ordeal has brought attention to the logistics and treatment of teams traveling for international matches, especially in conflict-prone regions. CAF’s actions in this case may set a precedent for how future incidents will be handled, ensuring that all teams are treated with dignity and respect during their travels.
