CAF Launches Investigation into Super Eagles’ Ordeal at Libyan Airport
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has raised alarm over the distressing experience endured by Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, at a Libyan airport.
The team, alongside their technical staff, was reportedly left stranded for several hours under troubling conditions, a situation that has prompted swift action from CAF.
In a statement released on Monday and available on CAF’s official website, the federation disclosed that it is in active communication with both Libyan and Nigerian authorities.
The matter has been escalated to CAF’s Disciplinary Board for thorough investigation, with potential consequences for any parties found to have breached CAF’s regulations.
The statement, titled “CAF Views the Disturbing and Unacceptable Experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) at an Airport in Libya in a Very Serious Light”, underscored CAF’s immediate efforts to address the situation.
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it was informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) and their technical team were stranded in distressing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land at 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 statement read.
The Super Eagles had departed for Libya on Sunday morning ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.
The match was scheduled to take place at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, near Benghazi.
However, reports surfaced that the team was diverted to another city, where they faced significant delays and were left unattended.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) issued a statement on Monday, confirming the team’s plight. According to the NFF Communications Department, the Super Eagles were stranded at Al Abraq Airport, where Libyan officials reportedly showed indifference to their situation.
A video shared by the Super Eagles’ media team corroborated the NFF’s statement, showing the players and officials, along with their luggage, waiting helplessly at the airport.
The footage has drawn widespread criticism of the Libyan airport authorities for their handling of the situation.
As a result of the ordeal, the NFF has announced that the Super Eagles will not participate in the scheduled 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya.
Further updates on the team’s next course of action are expected in the coming days, as CAF’s Disciplinary Board is now tasked with investigating the incident; decisive measures are anticipated
