- Safiu Kehinde
In the wake of Super Eagles’ inhuman treatment in Libya earlier this month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motspe, has raised concern over the increase in troubling tales of similar antics played by countries and football clubs in Africa against visiting teams.
Motspe raised the concern while speaking at the ongoing CAF General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
When asked on the ordeal of the Nigeria’s national team in Libya after arriving for the return leg of the African Cup of Nation’s qualifier, Motspe reserved his comment but affirmed that investiagtion is ongoing over the case.
He, however, disclosed the trend of the antics by teams across Africa as he recalled cases of deliberate delay of visiting teams, false declaration of players as Covid-19 positive amongst others.
“When there was this problem of the Nigerian national team in Libya. I will not comment on that because there is a proper investigation [going on] but I want to emphasize the principle we will not tolerate.
“Because this is something that has been going on for quite some time. Forget about the Nigeria-Libya situation because it has been properly investigated and appropriate action will be taken.
“I have heard too many stories of a football club or a national team going to a country. You spend hours at the airport and they ask you about documents that is not meant to be accessed.
“And apparently during Covid, they will look at the 10 best players from your team and say those players have Covid.
These are lack of sportsmanship that has existed and we have not taken effective action.” Motsepe said.
Recall that NPO reports how the Super Eagles were allegedly held hostage at an Al Abraq airport in Libya.
The team recounted how Libyan authorities had ordered the diversion of their flight, preventing them from landing at the scheduled Benghazi airport.
Super Eagles were held at Al Abraq airport for over 20 hours with reported hostilities from Libyan security operatives against the team and Nigerian Football Federation delegates.
While reacting to the allegation, the Libyan Football Federation, in a statement, claimed they suffered similar fate when they arrived Nigeria for the AFCON qualifier.
They recall being delayed at the airport Port Harcourt airport for hours- a claim which the NFF denied,