Victoria Mbangwa
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has expressed strong disapproval over the recent treatment of the Nigerian national football team in Libya, casting a harsh light on the long-standing issues plaguing international football in Africa.
Speaking at a press conference, Motsepe condemned the mistreatment of the Super Eagles at a Libyan airport ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier, although he refrained from providing specific comments pending a formal investigation.
He said, “We should have zero tolerance. When there was this problem of the Nigerian national team in Libya, I will not comment on that because there is a proper investigation.
But I want to emphasise a principle that we will not tolerate. This is something that has been going on for quite some time. Forget about the Libya vs Nigeria situation; forget about that; appropriate action will be taken.
I have heard too many stories about a football club or national team that goes to a country. You spend hours at the airport, and they ask you about documents that don’t exist. Apparently, during COVID, they would look at the best players and then say those ten players have got COVID.
But it is this lack of sportsmanship that has existed, and we haven’t taken effective action. We are reviewing those laws, and we want to emphasise sportsmanship.”
