THE Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s recent disciplinary ruling against the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) marks a pivotal moment in African football, sending a clear and much-needed message: that unsportsmanlike treatment of visiting teams will no longer be tolerated. Following the inhumane and disruptive treatment meted out to Nigeria’s Super Eagles on their journey to Libya for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, CAF’s swift and decisive response underscores the importance of upholding the integrity of African football and fostering unity through the sport, not division.
The incident in question saw the Super Eagles endure a gruelling 20-hour ordeal upon their arrival in Libya, beginning when the Libyan authorities diverted their flight to Labraq Airport — a location some 300 kilometres from the match venue in Benghazi. Not only was this diversion unexpected, but the Nigerian team was also detained for a distressing 18 hours without food or water, and with unhygienic restroom facilities deliberately prepared to further degrade their experience. The entire episode left the Super Eagles, who were primed for competition, physically and emotionally drained, their morale eroded by deliberate measures taken to undermine their performance on Libyan soil.
CAF’s ruling, which awarded Nigeria three goals and three points while fining the Libyan Football Federation $50,000, reflects a zero-tolerance approach to such infractions. In a statement issued by Ousmane Kane, Chairman of CAF’s disciplinary committee, Libya was found guilty of breaching both Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. These violations collectively underline the stark breach of sportsmanship and the unethical conduct of Libya’s football authorities, setting a harmful precedent that CAF has now sought to counter forcefully.
Beyond the specific injustices faced by the Super Eagles, this ruling resonates as a deterrent against similar occurrences in the future. For too long, certain North African teams have resorted to such tactics, targeting their visitors with inconveniences that compromise their competitiveness. Nigeria’s Enyimba FC and Rivers United, among others, have similarly faced substandard treatment during continental fixtures in the region. While these tactics are often justified under the guise of “home advantage,” they ultimately violate the essence of fair play, where competition should be won on merit, and matches should be decided by skill rather than by external manipulations.
Football, as CAF has long championed, is meant to be a bridge of unity, binding the continent through a shared passion for the game. In Africa, where communities across vast landscapes find common ground in the sport, the hope is that football remains a sanctuary of camaraderie and respect. CAF’s response, therefore, is not just a ruling on a match incident but an affirmation of football’s power to unite rather than divide. Host federations have an ethical responsibility to offer visiting teams an environment that reflects the true spirit of sportsmanship, ensuring fair treatment from arrival to departure. Unfortunately, cases like that of the Super Eagles in Libya stand as a reminder of just how far some federations have strayed from these ideals.
CAF’s disciplinary action also highlights the importance of vigilance and accountability within the sport’s governing bodies. Nigeria’s quick lodging of a complaint with CAF brought this issue to the fore, ensuring that the misconduct did not go unchecked. For Africa’s football institutions to flourish, CAF must continue to exercise its authority in safeguarding the sanctity of the game and penalising infractions that detract from its dignity. The ruling in favour of Nigeria emphasises that CAF is not a passive observer but an active defender of the values that should underpin the beautiful game across the continent.
This ruling should serve as a reminder to other football federations across Africa that hosting privileges come with responsibilities, and any violation of these standards will be met with repercussions. Home advantage, while a legitimate aspect of sports, must never border on sabotage. Instances of poor treatment must be addressed to ensure that African football is respected globally and remains an arena of fair play.
In retrospect, this ruling is more than a lesson; it is a precedent that CAF must continue to uphold and enforce. African football has immense potential to be a beacon of unity, resilience, and pride for its people, and it cannot afford to be marred by unsportsmanlike tactics.
