Photo: Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu (left) with NNL Chairman/Executive board member of NFF, George Aluo at the Uyo Nest of Champions during the first leg of the Nigeria, Libya Nations Cup qualifier.
By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu says that Libya must face heavy sanctions for the ill treatment meted out to the Super Eagles that led to the botched second leg of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
It would be recalled that the Super Eagles aircraft original en route to Benghazi, was diverted to another city over a two-hour drive from the intended destination, just an hour before landing.
According to him, such action by the Libyan authorities is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. By holding our national team and officials hostage under any circumstances violates not only international sporting protocols but also the principles of respect and hospitality that should be extended to all visiting teams.
He called on Confederation of African Football ( CAF) to take decisive action on Libya to serve as a lesson to other countries that want to toe the same line.
“What the Libyans did to Nigeria is condemnable. These were the same people that employed a lot of dirty antics in Uyo in a bid to run away with a draw which eluded them. So, since they didn’t succeed in Uyo they went all out to unleash terror on us.I am confident CAF disciplinary committee will do the right thing,” Shaibu stated.
