CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, don talk tough on the recent controversy wey happen between Nigeria and Libya for their 2025 AFCON qualifier. Motsepe say proper investigation dey ongoing on the matter.
During a press conference after the 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Motsepe emphasize say CAF no go tolerate any lack of sportsmanship in African football. He mention the difficult conditions wey the Nigerian national team face during their trip to Libya, including redirection of their flight, over 18-hour delay at the airport, and logistical complications.
Nigerian players like Troost Ekong, Victor Osimhen, and Kenneth Omeruo express their dismay over the situation. Omeruo even call the decision to play in Libya “terrible” due to the ongoing instability in the country.
Motsepe say, “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.”
He also highlight say such issues dey recur in African football, where visiting teams sometimes dey treated poorly. Motsepe stress that CAF dey review its regulations and will enforce stricter measures to ensure that incidents like this no happen again.
“If there are violations of those regulations and those rules, we will take action,” he add, emphasizing that sportsmanship remain a core value in African football.
