The Traffic

"AFCON Drama: CAF to Rule on Libya vs. Nigeria Showdown After Chaotic Qualifier"

Yakubu Haruna Yakubu 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to make a crucial decision on Wednesday regarding the controversial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifier between Libya and Nigeria, which was abruptly canceled. The highly anticipated fixture was originally scheduled to take place at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi on October 15 but was derailed by a series of events that left both teams in turmoil.

The first leg of the match, held in Nigeria, ended with a 1-0 victory for the Super Eagles. However, the reverse fixture in Libya took a dramatic turn when Nigeria’s flight was diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, far from the match venue. Nigerian players were reportedly held at the airport for 17 hours, sparking outrage and forcing the team to return home without playing the match.

Libyan media outlet Al-Ahrar Channel revealed that CAF will deliver its verdict on the matter, following the submission of extensive documentation by the Libyan Football Federation. The federation, represented by a specialized lawyer, is pushing back against Nigeria's complaint and has vowed to take all legal steps to protect its national team’s interests.

CAF, which had referred the incident to its Disciplinary Committee, expressed serious concern over the safety of the Nigerian players, describing the situation in Libya as "extremely dangerous." The committee is now tasked with investigating the matter and determining the appropriate course of action.

The botched encounter has fueled tensions between the two football federations, with Libya accusing Nigeria of uncooperative behavior throughout the qualification process. Meanwhile, Nigeria has called for sanctions, citing the ordeal their team faced in Libya.

As CAF’s decision looms, the football world eagerly awaits to see how this unprecedented case will unfold, with both nations' AFCON dreams hanging in the balance.