The recent controversy surrounding the Nigeria vs. Libya Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier has drawn criticism from Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He condemned the poor treatment of the Nigerian Super Eagles at the Libyan airport, where they were reportedly held for over 20 hours before the scheduled match on October 15, 2024. While Motsepe refrained from commenting extensively, pending an official investigation, he emphasized that CAF would not tolerate such unsportsmanlike behavior, highlighting the need for reform and strict enforcement of fair play in African football.
This incident highlights ongoing issues with mistreatment of visiting teams, and CAF appears determined to review its policies to ensure better sportsmanship across the continent. A final decision from CAF on this specific event is still awaited.