Is the CAF really taking responsibility?

[Zackz5000]

You should not jump to conclusions about CAF; the shortcoming in the welfare of the visiting players is a breach in the regulations that they have, the regulations guiding football. They will carry out investigations, and then I am sure they will give some kind of punishment if it is found that the actions of the host country were intentional.

This ain't about Jumping into conclusions, let's call a spade a spade, this whole controversy is in no way an accident or an unintended act by the Libyans, on the contrary, it's an intentional act, this was personal and a direct retaliation for what Conspired between the both parties during the Libyan Football Federation last visit to Nigeria, which we already know was a fault from their own end. The competition was meant to take place in Uyo Nigeria, and the Nigerian Football Federation were expecting to receive them in Uyo, only for them to receive a call 2 hours before arrival that they'll be landing in Port Harcourt and not Uyo, I mean who does that?

I think the CAF already knows this fact and that's why they should really address the situation because it was just too much.

You made a point here though we are waiting to hear from news to know exactly what happened at Libya that made the supper eagles of Nigeria to be stranded and the reason why the match didn't hold, what you just explain could be a good reason it could be that Libya what to make a pay back time to what Nigeria did to them when they were expected to land at Uyo  and later landed at Port Harcourt, CAF is much aware to what happened.
Africans really need to change there mindset when it come to sports this what unit nations together not the other way round, I believe what just happened to Nigeria at Libya is the reason why most African players is refusing to play for there home country and choose to play for another country in Europe I did not blame them for there is corruption among CAF.

[mammusu]

It is difficult to hold CAF alone responsible for the poor standard of football in Africa. While CAF plays an important role in developing the game, many other factors contribute to this problem. These include political instability in some countries, lack of infrastructure, lack of investment in youth academies, and weak administrative organization in some clubs. Although CAF offers some programs to develop the game, it needs to do more to improve the level of its tournaments, support African clubs and players, and increase financial and logistical support to develop the game on the continent.

It’s never difficult for the CAF to make decisions my friend. What might be feared is seeing them being in politics in to their decision which is not acceptable. As this can ruin the beauty of football and the unity of the people involved.

At the moment I think CAF performance in regulating football is questionable, because after all a lot of bad things happen to teams that compete with each other between African teams, what happened in the Libya vs Nigeria match should obviously be a reference for CAF to improve their standards in organizing and coordinating every team that will compete, because I think the incident that happened to the Nigeria squad is definitely something that should have been prevented if CAF could have solved the problems of the two teams that occurred in the previous first leg match, Libya action over Nigeria in my opinion is a form of revenge that they did because previously Nigeria had also tried to abandon Libya and experienced the same thing as Nigeria before when Libya visited Nigeria,  but indeed if we look at the current political involvement in the CAF decision is very large, and this can indeed be a big problem that interferes with the integrity and beauty of the game, disrupting unity among players, fans and even countries.

[swogerino]

I’m creating this trend to discuss the importance of the AFCON and the countries involved. Considering what is really going on with Nigeria and Libya. It’s obvious the CAF aren’t taking accurate measures towards the welfare of this countries and it’s players. Considering how football unites different categories of people and the fun is enjoyable . Without taking full responsibilities and measures could see countries clashing with each other as a result of ignorance of the CAF.

Let’s discuss the issues at hand and also outline the solutions to each problems.
Before this turns from being fun to bringing conflict.
Let’s keep the fun going

They should definitely take action otherwise this will happen again in many places because when something like this goes not punished by the law from the governance body it leave spaces for other entities to commit the same. I think this type of precedent should be heavily investigated from the governing body as I said and be punished to the maximum so it does not leave any space for others to try and emulate it. This is a dangerous precedent which has upset quite a lot of persons and gone totally against what football should do, unite all people in a game.

[NotATether]

At the moment I think CAF performance in regulating football is questionable, because after all a lot of bad things happen to teams that compete with each other between African teams, what happened in the Libya vs Nigeria match should obviously be a reference for CAF to improve their standards in organizing and coordinating every team that will compete, because I think the incident that happened to the Nigeria squad is definitely something that should have been prevented if CAF could have solved the problems of the two teams that occurred in the previous first leg match, Libya action over Nigeria in my opinion is a form of revenge that they did because previously Nigeria had also tried to abandon Libya and experienced the same thing as Nigeria before when Libya visited Nigeria,  but indeed if we look at the current political involvement in the CAF decision is very large, and this can indeed be a big problem that interferes with the integrity and beauty of the game, disrupting unity among players, fans and even countries.

It is quite strange that CAF does not even place a fine on Libya (or on Nigeria when they did this to the Libya national team last time) in order to deter this sort of thing from happening. Many FAs in African countries have some form of corruption in them, so a financial penalty will do enough to kick some executives in the rear as a wake-up call to prevent this kind of behavior from happening.

It should not be just a 3-0 forfeit.

[Fiatless]

At the moment I think CAF performance in regulating football is questionable, because after all a lot of bad things happen to teams that compete with each other between African teams, what happened in the Libya vs Nigeria match should obviously be a reference for CAF to improve their standards in organizing and coordinating every team that will compete, because I think the incident that happened to the Nigeria squad is definitely something that should have been prevented if CAF could have solved the problems of the two teams that occurred in the previous first leg match, Libya action over Nigeria in my opinion is a form of revenge that they did because previously Nigeria had also tried to abandon Libya and experienced the same thing as Nigeria before when Libya visited Nigeria,  but indeed if we look at the current political involvement in the CAF decision is very large, and this can indeed be a big problem that interferes with the integrity and beauty of the game, disrupting unity among players, fans and even countries.

When a team faces inhuman treatment in any way, they should complain to CAF immediately. I don't think the Libyan Football Federation did that; rather, they decided to take laws into their hands. Their decision to retaliate against the perceived maltreatment without complaint will make them guilty.

Libya is a country that is facing instability. Two governments control the country. The UN-backed government in the West and the Eastern government headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The Super Eagles were denied access to Benghazi Airport located in the East. It was likely the military administrators who gave the order. But the comments of the Libyan caption showed that it was a preplanned action.

[Tungbulu]

You made a point here though we are waiting to hear from news to know exactly what happened at Libya that made the supper eagles of Nigeria to be stranded and the reason why the match didn't hold, what you just explain could be a good reason it could be that Libya what to make a pay back time to what Nigeria did to them when they were expected to land at Uyo  and later landed at Port Harcourt, CAF is much aware to what happened.
Africans really need to change there mindset when it come to sports this what unit nations together not the other way round, I believe what just happened to Nigeria at Libya is the reason why most African players is refusing to play for there home country and choose to play for another country in Europe I did not blame them for there is corruption among CAF.

Or maybe you mean that we are waiting for a Libyans to cook up a lie to attempt to justify their actions, the reasons for that is very clear and everyone who critically view the situation would definitely know their actions were deliberate as well as the motive behind it. According to what I read on the news, the airport Nigerians landed was an abandoned Airport and they were still the ones who granted Nigerians the permission to land there, stranded without food or drink for several hours. And I even heard that they intend to take legal actions against the NFF because they forfeited the match even when it was truly their fault.

[Zigabel]

It's such a pathetic situation from the Libyan side, if what we have seen on the new so far proposing they are trying to do a pay back then it's a really sad situation how low they will descend to be this petty, going by the international practice in football, if they felt ill treated when they came to Nigeria, was it not proper they reported they issues to CAF and wait for proper response on the issue than waiting for an opportunity to get a pay back which they had to take so extreme, 12hrs is literally enough to consider such as keeping the players hostage literally.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

No one knows what happened yet. According to what I read on the news, the Super Leagues of Nigeria left Libya airport after they have been there for over 14 hours. Libya Football Federation alleged sabotage and threatened legal action against Nigeria according to what I saw on the news. Which means something happened at Libya airport between Nigerian football players and Libyans at the airport. Very bad that we do not know exactly what happened. The match has been cancelled or maybe postponed.

I wouldn't take sides for any of the country but allegedly, I think that the Libyan government purposely orchestrated this incident as a revenge to Nigerian football team based on what their own football team also faced when they came to Nigeria last week to play for the 2025 AFCON qualifier which was supposed to be held at Uyo state in Nigeria, unfortunately the plane was diverted to Port Harcourt which made the Libyan football team a bit stranded but yet the NFF made sure they find a solution to get a vehicle that took the team from port Harcourt to Uyo state where the match was supposed to be held.

Based on what lead to the arrival in a port Harcourt instead of Uyo, the NFF said that they were latly informed of the arrival date of the Libyan football team and they apologized for the inconvenience it might have caused the players. Despite the inconvenience, the Libyan players were still treated well in great hospitality.

So, this week, the Nigerian football team went to Libya to play, the Libya government decided to take their revenge too by diverting the plane to a different locations very far from where the football was supposed to hold, as if that was not enough, the Nigerian players stayed in that uncomfortable location  for 13 hours without water to drink, no food to eat, they didn't take their bath and there was no network to even make call or browse.

Later after the 13 hours that the player stayed in that hostile location, the Libyan government decided to send a bus to carry the players to a location (about 200 KM) where the match is supposed to hold. The players were already exhausted and devastated of the whole situation and the bus that was sent to them also contribute in discouraging them.

Bus sent by Libyan government

Vs

Bus provided by NFF

[SatoPrincess]

It's such a pathetic situation from the Libyan side, if what we have seen on the new so far proposing they are trying to do a pay back then it's a really sad situation how low they will descend to be this petty, going by the international practice in football, if they felt ill treated when they came to Nigeria, was it not proper they reported they issues to CAF and wait for proper response on the issue than waiting for an opportunity to get a pay back which they had to take so extreme, 12hrs is literally enough to consider such as keeping the players hostage literally.

I watched the first leg between Nigeria vs Lybia. The Libyan team were very unprofessional in their approach to the game, they didn’t want to play and were pulling all sorts of antics just to waste time. I didn’t think their antics would transcend the football pitch and even go as far as putting the lives of the Nigerian squad at risk. This was done to play mind games on the players and make them very uncomfortable before the match. Thanks to the internet, things like this can be recorded live for the world to see. The Super Eagles shared their experience with the world, how come we didn’t hear about the so called maltreatment of the Libya when they came to Nigeria?

[MrEazyLife]

No one knows what happened yet. According to what I read on the news, the Super Leagues of Nigeria left Libya airport after they have been there for over 14 hours. Libya Football Federation alleged sabotage and threatened legal action against Nigeria according to what I saw on the news. Which means something happened at Libya airport between Nigerian football players and Libyans at the airport. Very bad that we do not know exactly what happened. The match has been cancelled or maybe postponed.

I wouldn't take sides for any of the country but allegedly, I think that the Libyan government purposely orchestrated this incident as a revenge to Nigerian football team based on what their own football team also faced when they came to Nigeria last week to play for the 2025 AFCON qualifier which was supposed to be held at Uyo state in Nigeria, unfortunately the plane was diverted to Port Harcourt which made the Libyan football team a bit stranded but yet the NFF made sure they find a solution to get a vehicle that took the team from port Harcourt to Uyo state where the match was supposed to be held.

Based on what lead to the arrival in a port Harcourt instead of Uyo, the NFF said that they were latly informed of the arrival date of the Libyan football team and they apologized for the inconvenience it might have caused the players. Despite the inconvenience, the Libyan players were still treated well in great hospitality.

So, this week, the Nigerian football team went to Libya to play, the Libya government decided to take their revenge too by diverting the plane to a different locations very far from where the football was supposed to hold, as if that was not enough, the Nigerian players stayed in that uncomfortable location  for 13 hours without water to drink, no food to eat, they didn't take their bath and there was no network to even make call or browse.

Later after the 13 hours that the player stayed in that hostile location, the Libyan government decided to send a bus to carry the players to a location (about 200 KM) where the match is supposed to hold. The players were already exhausted and devastated of the whole situation and the bus that was sent to them also contribute in discouraging them.

Bus sent by Libyan government

Vs

Bus provided by NFF

Wow!! Just wow, good things evidence are being put out and the CAF have no excuse to implement disciplinary action to they the Libyan team if found guilty of all that’s has been said or even put out in the internet and some evidence they’ll find after their investigation.

[Charles-Tim]

I think that the Libyan government purposely orchestrated this incident as a revenge to Nigerian football team based on what their own football team also faced when they came to Nigeria last week to play for the 2025 AFCON qualifier which was supposed to be held at Uyo state in Nigeria, unfortunately the plane was diverted to Port Harcourt which made the Libyan football team a bit stranded but yet the NFF made sure they find a solution to get a vehicle that took the team from port Harcourt to Uyo state where the match was supposed to be held.

You are just right about this. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) issue a statement about what actually happened as they have said they will look into the matter. All what you posted was what they founded out. You can see it here: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/745527-caf-releases-new-statement-on-libya-vs-nigeria-afcon-qualifier-debacle.html. I read the news many hours ago but I was busy to post about it early today in the morning because the statement was released yesterday.

[Die_empty]

I watched the first leg between Nigeria vs Lybia. The Libyan team were very unprofessional in their approach to the game, they didn’t want to play and were pulling all sorts of antics just to waste time. I didn’t think their antics would transcend the football pitch and even go as far as putting the lives of the Nigerian squad at risk. This was done to play mind games on the players and make them very uncomfortable before the match. Thanks to the internet, things like this can be recorded live for the world to see. The Super Eagles shared their experience with the world, how come we didn’t hear about the so called maltreatment of the Libya when they came to Nigeria?

I wouldn't call the Libyan style of play in the first leg unprofessional because that was their strategy. They knew they were playing with one of the best teams in Africa, so they came to secure at least one point. And was clear that they would have achieved it if not for the last-minute goal by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

I have spoken in the past with some Nigerians who had lived in Libya. They told me how inhuman these folks treat Africans who are not in the Northern zone. They were willing to force the Super Eagles to use a bus and travel in an area that was experiencing armed conflict. The former caption of the Libyan team Moatasem Al-Musrati justified the ill-treatment and even criticised the media for bias. He said Nigerian players used their popularity in Europe to escalate the issue.  

[Kavelj22]

It is difficult to hold CAF alone responsible for the poor standard of football in Africa. While CAF plays an important role in developing the game, many other factors contribute to this problem. These include political instability in some countries, lack of infrastructure, lack of investment in youth academies, and weak administrative organization in some clubs. Although CAF offers some programs to develop the game, it needs to do more to improve the level of its tournaments, support African clubs and players, and increase financial and logistical support to develop the game on the continent.

It’s never difficult for the CAF to make decisions my friend. What might be feared is seeing them being in politics in to their decision which is not acceptable. As this can ruin the beauty of football and the unity of the people involved.

Not everything can be controlled by CAF, considering that the policies of imposing sanctions on teams are not always effective. The nature of African peoples is that they always agree to disagree, and that is why we see their levels very low in terms of performance when it comes to team sports, especially football, despite the fact that its players have great performance and find their opportunities with clubs outside the continent. This is a difficult equation and CAF is supposed to be aware of this.

It is not the job of CAF to develop the mentality of African societies, and therefore it cannot be blamed in many cases. What happened with the Libyan national team recently is not an exception because this is repeated many times in different forms that may be more or less severe, especially between teams whose countries are in a state of direct conflict. These countries have not yet reached the stage of awareness to realize that sports activities must be neutralized from any political or ideological differences or whatever the reason.

[Obim34]

I watched the first leg between Nigeria vs Lybia. The Libyan team were very unprofessional in their approach to the game, they didn’t want to play and were pulling all sorts of antics just to waste time. I didn’t think their antics would transcend the football pitch and even go as far as putting the lives of the Nigerian squad at risk. This was done to play mind games on the players and make them very uncomfortable before the match. Thanks to the internet, things like this can be recorded live for the world to see. The Super Eagles shared their experience with the world, how come we didn’t hear about the so called maltreatment of the Libya when they came to Nigeria?

I wouldn't call the Libyan style of play in the first leg unprofessional because that was their strategy. They knew they were playing with one of the best teams in Africa, so they came to secure at least one point. And was clear that they would have achieved it if not for the last-minute goal by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

I have spoken in the past with some Nigerians who had lived in Libya. They told me how inhuman these folks treat Africans who are not in the Northern zone. They were willing to force the Super Eagles to use a bus and travel in an area that was experiencing armed conflict. The former caption of the Libyan team Moatasem Al-Musrati justified the ill-treatment and even criticised the media for basis. He said Nigerian players used their popularity in Europe to escalate the issue. 

Why do i feel like this guys had it all planned after their arrival in Nigeria, not only do they know it is hard or just impossible defeating Nigeria at home, so they set up possible means to divert the result to a draw, then following with their motive towards the Nigeria team going through sort of stress and being mentally drained ahead of their game in Libya, giving them the worst of performance during the game. I am happy as the Super Eagles came back to Nigeria without honouring the fixture, clearly as it was they might have lost the game if at all they stayed to play.

Africans are now getting divided, what a pity for a continent that has went through stages of difficulties and has independently emerge out of it, not finding measures to stick together. Nigeria (Super Eagles) has hosted many countries and no complains recorded, how much more of Libya that is not counted as a threat in all Afrian competitions.

[SatoPrincess]

Why do i feel like this guys had it all planned after their arrival in Nigeria, not only do they know it is hard or just impossible defeating Nigeria at home, so they set up possible means to divert the result to a draw, then following with their motive towards the Nigeria team going through sort of stress and being mentally drained ahead of their game in Libya, giving them the worst of performance during the game. I am happy as the Super Eagles came back to Nigeria without honouring the fixture, clearly as it was they might have lost the game if at all they stayed to play.

Africans are now getting divided, what a pity for a continent that has went through stages of difficulties and has independently emerge out of it, not finding measures to stick together. Nigeria (Super Eagles) has hosted many countries and no complains recorded, how much more of Libya that is not counted as a threat in all Afrian competitions.

We didn’t see it coming. This is a matter of life and death. I watched the video where the pilot flying the plane explained what happened on the flight and the instruction or should I say command he received from Libyan government. He was told by the “highest authority in Lybia” to divert the aircraft. Knowing that there was limited quantity of fuel for the trip, the Libya government completely ignored the risks that accompanied their decision. Honestly, we do not need this dark arts in football. It gives African football a bad reputation. Sadly, the damage has been done and CAF should act accordingly. Last I read, Nigeria may be taking the case to Court of Arbitration for Sport

[EarnOnVictor]

-snip-
Let’s discuss the issues at hand and also outline the solutions to each problems.
Before this turns from being fun to bringing conflict.

Who cares if it turns into a conflict?

It is an affront by Libya against Nigeria, Nigeria should reciprocate, enough of this nonsense. First, CAF would sanction Libya and I believe FIFA would do something. This is more possible since the pilot confirmed that it was Libyan authorities who deliberately diverted the plane and treated Nigerian players like that. However, before the response of CAF and FIFA, Nigeria should never fly to Libya to play that match again, another country should be chosen for the match in a show of protest.

[MrEazyLife]

Why do i feel like this guys had it all planned after their arrival in Nigeria, not only do they know it is hard or just impossible defeating Nigeria at home, so they set up possible means to divert the result to a draw, then following with their motive towards the Nigeria team going through sort of stress and being mentally drained ahead of their game in Libya, giving them the worst of performance during the game. I am happy as the Super Eagles came back to Nigeria without honouring the fixture, clearly as it was they might have lost the game if at all they stayed to play.

Africans are now getting divided, what a pity for a continent that has went through stages of difficulties and has independently emerge out of it, not finding measures to stick together. Nigeria (Super Eagles) has hosted many countries and no complains recorded, how much more of Libya that is not counted as a threat in all Afrian competitions.

We didn’t see it coming. This is a matter of life and death. I watched the video where the pilot flying the plane explained what happened on the flight and the instruction or should I say command he received from Libyan government. He was told by the “highest authority in Lybia” to divert the aircraft. Knowing that there was limited quantity of fuel for the trip, the Libya government completely ignored the risks that accompanied their decision. Honestly, we do not need this dark arts in football. It gives African football a bad reputation. Sadly, the damage has been done and CAF should act accordingly. Last I read, Nigeria may be taking the case to Court of Arbitration for Sport

So it’s then it’s clear that this isn’t just about the football aspect. There’s something fishy going on which must be brought to light. The Libyan government wanted to use the football as a means of executing whatever intentions they had. From what you just said now. Imagine an airplane running out of fuel which still in the sky. That could result to crashing leading to the lost of passengers life onboard. If there’s anything they felt is going on between them and Nigeria. Then they shouldn’t drag it in to the world of football. Thank God the players after all this landed safely and also returned back to the country safely. This could have been something else.

[Die_empty]

-snip-
Let’s discuss the issues at hand and also outline the solutions to each problems.
Before this turns from being fun to bringing conflict.

Who cares if it turns into a conflict?

It is an affront by Libya against Nigeria, Nigeria should reciprocate, enough of this nonsense. First, CAF would sanction Libya and I believe FIFA would do something. This is more possible since the pilot confirmed that it was Libyan authorities who deliberately diverted the plane and treated Nigerian players like that. However, before the response of CAF and FIFA, Nigeria should never fly to Libya to play that match again, another country should be chosen for the match in a show of protest.

We do not want a mere football match that should have promoted friendship to result in conflict. Nigerians will suffer more if this issue escalates. How many Libyans live in Nigeria? It might be an insignificant number but thousands of Nigerians live in Libya because it is a major route to illegally migrate to Europe. They might become more hostile to Nigerians in Libya if this problem is not handled well. 

The game should be rescheduled to another country, maybe North Africa. The Libyan Football Federation should pay a fine and also bear the expenses Nigeria will incur because of the rescheduled match.

However, Nigeria still tops that table with seven points after Rwanda defeated the Benin Republic. A win will make Nigeria join countries like Senegal, DR Congo, Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Cameroon, and Uganda, and host Morocco, which has already qualified for the Nations Cup.   

[MrEazyLife]

-snip-
Let’s discuss the issues at hand and also outline the solutions to each problems.
Before this turns from being fun to bringing conflict.

Who cares if it turns into a conflict?

It is an affront by Libya against Nigeria, Nigeria should reciprocate, enough of this nonsense. First, CAF would sanction Libya and I believe FIFA would do something. This is more possible since the pilot confirmed that it was Libyan authorities who deliberately diverted the plane and treated Nigerian players like that. However, before the response of CAF and FIFA, Nigeria should never fly to Libya to play that match again, another country should be chosen for the match in a show of protest.

We do not want a mere football match that should have promoted friendship to result in conflict. Nigerians will suffer more if this issue escalates. How many Libyans live in Nigeria? It might be an insignificant number but thousands of Nigerians live in Libya because it is a major route to illegally migrate to Europe. They might become more hostile to Nigerians in Libya if this problem is not handled well. 

The game should be rescheduled to another country, maybe North Africa. The Libyan Football Federation should pay a fine and also bear the expenses Nigeria will incur because of the rescheduled match.

However, Nigeria still tops that table with seven points after Rwanda defeated the Benin Republic. A win will make Nigeria join countries like Senegal, DR Congo, Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Cameroon, and Uganda, and host Morocco, which has already qualified for the Nations Cup.   

Worse comes to worst. Nigerians will be asked to returned home. seems this is some kind of hate towards Nigeria.
Probably they’re jealous and Libyan team has never been a threat in any of the Africa competitions.

[Abbatty]

It's such a pathetic situation from the Libyan side, if what we have seen on the new so far proposing they are trying to do a pay back then it's a really sad situation how low they will descend to be this petty, going by the international practice in football, if they felt ill treated when they came to Nigeria, was it not proper they reported they issues to CAF and wait for proper response on the issue than waiting for an opportunity to get a pay back which they had to take so extreme, 12hrs is literally enough to consider such as keeping the players hostage literally.

Yeah it very bad of Libya to act in such manner, but also why do Nigeria have to let them drop at calabar instead of Uyo and we are all aware that Uyo also gave an international airport. The Libya complained about the bus and the road from calabar to Uyo, but the bus I saw on social media was a good bus compared to the 16 sitter bus the Libya government provided for the Nigerians. Things  like this is why they don't really take Africans seriously because how can 2 nations act like this to each other.

I think CAF needs to take serious action with both countries or at least the country found guilty should be penelized. South Americans will never act like this towards each other or even the Europeans. When you want to be taken seriously in anything you do then you have to act accordingly, alot of things need to change in the African football system and penalizing the faulted country will be a good start.