Nigerian Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called for immediate and decisive action from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the mistreatment of the Super Eagles in Libya, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
The senator is urging CAF to award the Nigerian team maximum points in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya as a consequence of the Libyan authorities’ failure to provide adequate hospitality to the Nigerian squad.
This call comes in response to the disturbing treatment faced by the Super Eagles and their coaching staff upon arrival in Libya for the second leg of their AFCON 2025 qualifier.
The team, including players and technical crew, was stranded for over 20 hours without necessities such as food, WiFi, and hotel accommodations at the airport, severely affecting their preparations for the crucial match. Such actions, according to Kalu, represent a flagrant violation of sportsmanship and international standards in football.
Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Monday, Kalu strongly criticized Libya’s behavior and called for sanctions. He stated, “CAF must make that decision as quickly as possible to serve as a deterrent to any African country that behaves in such an irresponsible manner.”
He further expressed his dismay at the poor treatment the Super Eagles received, saying, “These things must be put to a halt forthwith. This dishonorable display of lack of class and character must stop henceforth. I condemn this horrible disregard for fellow humans. It is utter shame that the Libya Football Federation could display such a cunning strategy.”
Kalu, who played a key role in Nigerian football during his tenure as chairman of Enyimba FC, referenced a similar incident involving the Aba-based club in the past. “These were the things they cunningly did to Enyimba Football Club of Aba, and I fought against it. CAF must award the three (3) points to the Super Eagles of Nigeria immediately,” he concluded.
As a prominent supporter of Nigerian football, Kalu’s voice carries weight, particularly given his leadership in transforming Enyimba FC into a powerhouse in African football. His call for CAF to award the Super Eagles three points in response to Libya’s actions reflects a broader concern within Nigerian sports about fairness and professionalism in international competitions.
With the Super Eagles continuing their AFCON 2025 qualification journey, this situation has reignited discussions about host country responsibilities and the need for CAF to enforce regulations that ensure teams are treated with respect and fairness in all fixtures.
Oluwayemi Omolagba