If Nigeria still has the stuff that models it as the “giant of Africa”, it must seize this moment and rally support for an end to the uncivilised conduct of some African countries towards visiting fellow African sports (especially football) teams.
Nigeria and Libya “brawled” on and off the football pitch towards their qualification for the African Cup of Nations, AFCON, football championship in Morocco in 2025 in a manner that did not represent the true spirit of sports, which is primarily to unite people and create universal friendship.
The Libyan national team arrived Nigeria penultimate Thursday for the first leg of the qualifier. The Libyans claimed they were “maltreated” by being diverted to Port Harcourt instead of Uyo (the venue of the match), subjected to a three-hour delay at the airport and transported by road to Uyo. They blamed the 1-0 loss to Nigeria on their “ordeals”.
The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, counter-claimed that the Libyans kept them in the dark over their arrangements and altered their travel plans to Port Harcourt at the last minute while they were being awaited in Uyo, adding that the visitors were deliberately uncooperative.
In what looks like a bid for “vengeance”, the Libyans diverted the aircraft bringing the Super Eagles players for the second leg to Al Abraq Airport, 200 miles and almost four hours by road to the venue, Benghazi. They were forcibly kept for 15 hours without food and water, and also denied comfortable hotel accommodation. The photos, videos and messages the Eagles players sent out sparked an outrage and a diplomatic emergency between Nigeria and Libya.
The Eagles were unable to play the match, which was called off by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, when the NFF lodged a complaint.
Nigerians traditionally welcome foreigners with open arms and even treat visitors far better than they do some of their fellow nationals. This is more so with foreign sports teams arriving for any competition. Northern African teams in particularly are very hostile to opponents from foreign countries and do everything to intimidate the players and supporters to win at all cost.
The Eagles and club sides, such as Enyimba, Rivers United and others, dread to play in North Africa for fear of their lives. Nigerians will no longer tolerate the further humiliation of any of its teams in any part of the continent.
We hope CAF will properly investigate this ugly incident and apply sanctions in favour of a better sporting behaviour by countries. We must emulate the Europeans and accord full courtesy to visiting teams in Africa. Any country which is not willing to respect visitors or display the spirit of sportsmanship should be axed from the comity of sporting nations.
Nigeria should lead this campaign.
END
Be the first to comment