The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, has disclosed that a thorough investigation is underway following the recent controversy surrounding Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
Motsepe emphasized that the governing body will not tolerate any form of unsportsmanlike conduct or unfair treatment within African football.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday after the 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Motsepe addressed concerns about the difficult conditions Nigeria’s national team faced during their trip to Libya, which raised questions about player safety and fair treatment.
The Super Eagles experienced multiple challenges during their crucial qualifier, including flight redirection, an over 18-hour delay at the airport, and logistical issues that disrupted their preparation. While Motsepe did not comment directly on the situation, he confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation.
He stated, “It’s because when there was this problem with the Nigerian national team in Libya, and I will not comment on that, because there’s a proper investigation. But I want to emphasise a principle that we will not tolerate, because this is something that has been going on for quite some time.
“Your national team, let me emphasise, forget about the Nigeria and Libya situation, because that process has been properly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken.”
He further highlighted that such issues have been recurring in African football, where visiting teams are sometimes treated poorly.
“Too many stories have been told of national teams or football clubs going to a country, and they spend hours at the airport, being asked about documents that don’t exist,” Motsepe said.
During his remarks, the CAF President emphasised the importance of treating visiting teams with respect and dignity, pointing to the principle of fairness in competition.