Nigeria is eagerly awaiting the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision, expected on Wednesday, regarding the disputed AFCON qualifying Group D match against Libya, initially scheduled for October 15 at Benina Martyrs Stadium.
The controversy surrounding the match began when Nigeria's team arrived in Libya on October 14, only to have their flight diverted to Al Abraq International Airport, approximately three hours away from the match venue in Benghazi. The Libyan authorities held the Nigerian team captive for 17 hours, leaving them traumatized before they returned home.
Nigeria lodged a formal complaint with CAF, detailing their ordeal. In response, the Libyan Football Federation denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the Nigerian team failed to cooperate during both legs of the qualifier. However, CAF described the treatment of the Nigerian team as "extremely dangerous" and referred the matter to its disciplinary committee for investigation.
The first leg of the qualifier, held in Nigeria, ended 1-0 in favor of the Super Eagles. The outcome of the botched reverse fixture remains uncertain, pending CAF's decision.
In a statement, the Libyan Football Federation vowed to take all necessary legal measures to protect the interests of its national team. CAF's verdict on Wednesday will determine the fate of the disputed match and potential consequences for the Libyan Football Federation.
The incident has sparked concerns about player safety and the integrity of international football competitions. CAF's decision will be closely watched, as it sets a precedent for addressing similar incidents in the future.
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