Former Super Eagles defender, Mobi Oparaku, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will avoid sanctions from the Confederation of African Football after the cancellation of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
The Group D second-leg match, scheduled to be held in Libya, was abruptly called off following a distressing experience endured by the Nigerian team.
The Super Eagles’ ordeal began when Libyan authorities unexpectedly redirected their flight to a remote airport.
Upon arrival, the Nigerian contingent was stranded for over 18 hours without access to basic necessities such as food, water, and the internet.
The deteriorating situation led the players to make the collective decision to abandon the match in protest of the conditions.
CAF later delisted the fixture and escalated the issue to its disciplinary committee, which is now tasked with delivering a verdict on the matter.
While the outcome is still pending, Oparaku remains optimistic, citing Nigeria’s longstanding reputation for hospitality toward visiting teams.
In a conversation with Brila FM, Oparaku defended Nigeria’s conduct, saying, “CAF knows we are not what is reported by the Libyans, we are not biased, we never maltreat our visitors, CAF knows we can’t do such.” He added, “I am confident no sanction will fall on Nigeria, I believe we will get a fair outcome.”
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Nigeria continues to lead Group D with seven points, while Libya languishes at the bottom with just a single point.
The outcome of CAF’s disciplinary review will be pivotal, but Oparaku’s comments reflect his belief that Nigeria’s record of fair treatment towards foreign teams will work in their favour.
