President Bola Tinubu has called on the disciplinary board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to launch a thorough investigation into the inhuman treatment suffered by Nigeria’s Super Eagles at a Libyan airport. The President urged CAF to take appropriate actions against those responsible for violating the federation’s statutes and regulations.
In a statement released by his special adviser on information and strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed his concern over the ordeal, stressing the need for CAF to address the situation with the seriousness it deserved. The Nigerian president made the remarks on Monday in Abuja, following the safe return of the Super Eagles to Nigeria.
The incident occurred when the Super Eagles’ flight was diverted to a remote area of Libya, where the players and officials were held for several hours in what has been described as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and frustrate the team ahead of their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.
President Tinubu decried the harrowing experience that led to the team’s withdrawal from the match, which was set to take place on Tuesday. He applauded the proactive coordination between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode, ensuring the safe return of the players and officials.
“President Tinubu applauds the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya,” the statement from Onanuga read. “The Nigerian leader recognises football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and views the treatment of our citizens as unsportsmanlike and inhuman, a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he deeply appreciates.”
Tinubu further called on football stakeholders to unite and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. “He fervently calls on all lovers of the round-leather game and administrators to work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future,” Onanuga added.
The President’s strong reaction underscores the importance of protecting the integrity of African football and safeguarding the rights of athletes. Football, according to the Nigerian leader, plays a pivotal role in promoting unity, and any actions that go against the ethos of fair play must be condemned.
The Super Eagles were on their way to a crucial AFCON qualifier when the team’s plane was diverted to a remote location, where the players and officials were reportedly trapped without proper facilities or communication for hours. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) expressed deep frustration over the incident, labeling it an intentional act aimed at demoralizing the team.
Following the episode, Nigeria called off the AFCON qualifier, which had been slated for Tuesday, to ensure the safety and well-being of the national team. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from football fans and commentators, with many calling on CAF to take decisive action.
As the investigation unfolds, there is growing pressure on CAF to not only hold those responsible accountable but to also implement measures that prevent such incidents from happening to any other team in the future.
