Julius Okorie
Angry Nigerians have queried the rationale behind CAF allowing the scheduling of return leg of two-legged 2025 AFCON qualifier in Benina, Libya.
This follows the continued agony of Super Eagles who have been stranded at the Abraq Airport for over 14 hours now and still counting.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMany are at a loss as to how a team that has been left stranded with no food and water for the past 14 hours will be expected to play a crucial match like AFCON qualifier tomorrow after such a harrowing experience. Till now, no reasonable explanation has been given for the wickedness being shown to the Eagles, except a calculated attempt to brake the team physically and mentally.
Lanre Adeola @Lanredeola said “There’s no point in CAF allowing a country going through that to participate in football tournaments.I mean, Liberia had to stay off for some years.”
READ ALSO :AFCON Qualifier: Libyan Authorities Give Eagles Hell Ahead Tuesday Return Leg In Benina
Ebony for life @Holumyty1 wondered why a neutral ground was not chosen for the match, saying “Why CAF can’t allow this match to be played at a neutral venue is still a surprise to me? They are not even concerned about the safety of the players. O l’agabra ooo”
An apparently fatigued Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, taking to his X, equally reacted to the ugly situation and called on CAF to do something. The Chippa United of South Africa safehand said “Over 14 hours spent at an abandoned Libyan airport. No food, no water, no Internet access prior to mind games on a match expected to be played tomorrow, No! This is absolutely crazy!!! @CAF_Online please do the needful”
Dr. Kelechi Anyikude @KelechiAFC on his part wants the issue to be escalated to diplomatic level saying “The Minister of Foreign Affairs should summon the Libyan ambassador asap to explain this wickedness. This must be a full blown Diplomatic issue IMO
It is disheartening that the Confederation of African Football is yet to issue a statement since the ugly experience began. A check on the Continental football governing body’s website by Primebusines.africa indicates that no statement has been issued yet. Certainly the Eagles, who played a clean game winning their first leg under a peaceful atmosphere in Uyo, do not deserve this.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
