By Towncriernews
Former First Vice Chairman of the Edo State Football Association and Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, Truth Live News Media, Darlington Okpebholo-Ray, yesterday, called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to sanction the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) for the inhuman treatment meted on the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles in Libya.
Recall that the Super Eagles, had arrived Libya for the crucial second-leg match after securing 1-0 victory in the first leg in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State when their chartered flight was diverted by the Lybian authority.
The Nigerian contingent, including players and officials, were held hostage for over 18 hours in an attempt to derail their preparation for the upcoming match.
They were originally scheduled to land in Tripoli, the plane was redirected to a lesser-known and substandard local airport.
Reacting to this development, Okpebholo-Ray described what transpired between the two countries as disheartening and shocking, particularly when viewed through the lens of their long-standing diplomatic relationship.
He said, Nigeria and Libya, two giants on the African continent, should represent unity, respect, and sportsmanship, instead, the Libyan side resorted to underhand tactics aimed at frustrating and exhausting the Super Eagles in an attempt to secure a favorable outcome in the now-canceled match.
According to him, while the cancellation of the match was a positive step, it should not be the end of the matter rather, CAF must go further by awarding the three points to Nigeria as a just consequence of Libya’s actions.
He said additionally, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) should be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to other nations adding that football, especially in Africa because CAF cannot afford to have its reputation tarnished by such unsporting behaviour.
“Suspending Libya from international football competitions for a significant period would send a strong message to others, pointing out that it would demonstrate that CAF is serious about upholding the principles of fairness, sportsmanship, and respect that are at the core of the game”, Okpebholo-Ray added, noting that the international community is watching, and Africa must not let football become a victim of political or selfish interests.
He maintained that the incident was unfortunate as it has revealed the dark side of the African football.
“The events surrounding the match between Nigeria and Libya have exposed the darker side of African football.
“However, with strong action from CAF, these events can serve as a turning point. By taking decisive measures, CAF can ensure that football remains a force for good in the continent, uniting rather than dividing nations”.
Commending the NFF for acting quickly by lodging complaints to CAF and engaging in high-level diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation, Okpebholo-Ray, also lauded the Nigeria’s Ministers of Sports and Foreign Affairs who reached out to their Libyan counterparts, while former NFF President Amaju Pinnick and other football stakeholders joined in voicing their concerns, stressing that it is in the light of these efforts that CAF’s swiftly intervened and decision to cancel the match was reached.