Leon Balogun has urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take firm disciplinary measures against the Libyan authorities for the poor treatment experienced by the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, upon their arrival in Libya on Sunday.
The Super Eagles’ travel plans were disrupted when their plane, initially scheduled to land in Benghazi, was unexpectedly diverted to a different location.
The team and officials found themselves stranded at the Al Abaq Airport, located more than two hours away from Benghazi, where they were due to prepare for their upcoming match.To make matters worse, the Nigerian contingent had to endure several hours at the airport as no transportation was provided to take them to their intended destination.
This delay caused significant inconvenience, affecting the team’s plans and disrupting their recovery and preparation ahead of their match against Libya.Balogun, a former Super Eagles defender, did not hold back his frustration over the incident.
Taking to social media, he criticized the treatment of the team and demanded swift and decisive action from CAF.“Hey @CAF_Online – surely you’re going to investigate thoroughly and take action, right? Whoever is responsible for this needs to be held accountable.
This is unacceptable,” he wrote, expressing his disappointment with the situation.
The Super Eagles are set to face Libya on Tuesday, following their narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg last Friday.
However, the challenges they encountered upon arrival have cast a shadow over their preparation, with concerns about how the incident might affect their focus and performance in the crucial fixture.
Balogun’s call for action highlights the need for CAF to ensure fair treatment and professionalism across all competitions, stressing that incidents like this undermine the integrity of African football.
It remains to be seen how CAF will respond to the situation, but the Nigerian football community will be watching closely for a resolution.
