Former First Vice Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Darlington Okpebholo-Ray, don call for more and stiffer sanctions for Libya over the way dem treat Nigeria’s Super Eagles before their botched Nations Cup qualifier match.
The Super Eagles chartered flight was diverted to an obscure location, Al Abraq airport, instead of Benghazi where dem suppose land. This diversion hold the Nigerian contingent, including players and officials, hostage for over 18 hours, trying to disrupt their preparation for the match.
Okpebholo-Ray say what happen between the two countries dey very disheartening and shocking, especially when you consider their long-standing diplomatic relationship. He say while rescheduling the match be a good step, it no suppose be the end of the matter; CAF must go further by awarding the three points to Nigeria as a just consequence of Libya’s actions.
He also say that the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) should be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to other nations. According to him, suspending Libya from international football competitions for a significant period would send a strong message to others, showing that CAF is serious about upholding the principles of fairness, sportsmanship, and respect in the game.
Okpebholo-Ray emphasize that the international community dey watch, and Africa must not let football become a victim of political or selfish interests. He conclude by saying, “I am calling on CAF to impose stiffer sanctions for Libya to send a strong signal to the rest of Africa.”
