Sunday Oct 20, 2024. 10:38
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have given both the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until today, Sunday 20 October 2024, to submit documents explaining their sides of the cancelled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier earlier this week.
Libya and Nigeria were set to meet in Benghazi for a Group D qualifier on the evening of Tuesday 15 October, but the West African side boycotted the match in response to their plane being diverted to Labraq Airport, where they were reportedly held for 18 hours without food, water or access to the internet.
Libya’s Al-Ahrar Channel has reported that Nasser Al-Suwaie, Secretary General of the LFF, confirmed the October 20 deadline in a statement.
Al-Suwaie mentioned that the LFF has appointed a lawyer to gather evidence and raised concerns about possible collusion from some parties within CAF.
He has emphasised that the LFF had no role in diverting the plane to Al-Abraq Airport, explaining that the decision was made by the Libyan state.
Former Nigerian international Harrison Jalla has requested the African Union to call Libyan authorities to order – though he was more cautious in regards to what decision CAF will make, given that the Libyan team complained of their treatment in Nigeria ahead of a 1-0 loss in Uyo on October 11.
“The African Union must call Libya to order,” Jalla is quoted by The Guardian. “The are [sic] documented evidence to show Libya’s hostilities to nationals of other African countries.”
Jalla added, “Let us wait for CAF’s decision because the Libyan national team also have complaints of maltreatment against Nigeria when they came for the first leg in Uyo.”
As things stand, Nigeria top Group D with seven points from three matches. Benin (six points from four matches), Rwanda (five points from four matches) and Libya (one point from three matches) complete the standings.
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