FIFA council member provides update on CAF ruling over Super Eagles’ hostage incident in Libya

FIFA council member and former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, has confirmed that the Confederation of African Football is set to release its verdict on the controversy surrounding Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ treatment in Libya, TrackNews Online reports.

Pinnick revealed that the decision, which addresses the disrupted 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Nigeria and Libya, will be made public “today or tomorrow.”

The Super Eagles were held at Al Abaq Airport for over 20 hours ahead of their scheduled AFCON qualifying match against Libya on October 15, 2024.

Following the incident, Nigeria’s national team refused to participate in the match and returned home.

In an interview with Arise Television, Pinnick confirmed that the issue was given serious attention during CAF’s executive committee meeting.

“CAF is taking this issue very seriously,” he said. “Today, tomorrow we will have the final result.

“CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, personifies integrity and Pan-Africanism. We deliberated on it in our executive committee meeting. It was a subject of intense discussion.”

Pinnick also highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasising,

“This is very serious because anything could have happened to the Super Eagles. CAF is not leaving any stone unturned.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe echoed Pinnick’s sentiments, condemning the mistreatment of the Nigerian team but withholding further comments until a final decision is reached.

“We should have zero tolerance,” said Motsepe. “Appropriate action will be taken.”

The incident has sparked discussions about unsportsmanlike practices in African football, and CAF is expected to take decisive action.