How Sports Minister Thwarted CAF’s Last Minute Efforts to Make Super Eagles Play Libya

Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, pulled the plug on the last minutes move by the Confederation of African Football, CAF to persuade Nigeria”s Super Eagles to go ahead with Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has earlier announced that Nigeria pulled out of the game after the poor treatment the Super Eagles received. upon their arrival in Libya.

However, CAF insisted the match must go ahead despite the frustrating 14-hour ordeal Super Eagles experienced at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.

Enoh has now disclosed that he declined requests by CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, and Secretary-General Mosengo Omba, that Nigeria should proceed with the match.

He also said in a post via his X handle, that there must be a serious adverse consequence to the Libyan football federation after its unspeakable behaviour.

He tweeted: “This morning, I was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General.

“While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team to participate in tomorrow’s match.

“I instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first, the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.

“There must be a serious adverse consequence to the Libyan football federation for this unspeakable behaviour.

“This can not be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation”.