Sport
CAF Demands Documents from Libya After Nigeria’s AFCON Match Cancellation
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reached out to the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) requesting specific documentation related to the cancellation of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Group D against Nigeria.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to face Libya on October 15 but withdrew from the fixture after a harrowing incident.
Their flight was redirected to Labraq Airport, where players endured an alarming 18-hour ordeal.
During this time, they were held in a restricted area without access to the internet, food, or water, which led to their decision to forfeit the match.
Nasser Al-Suwaie, the Secretary-General of the LFF and the official overseeing the federation’s operations has confirmed that CAF has set a deadline of October 20 for both the Libyan and Nigerian football associations to submit the necessary documents related to this incident.
In a statement, Al-Suwaie indicated that the LFF has engaged a legal representative to compile and present evidence supporting their case.
Al-Suwaie has also raised concerns about possible collusion from certain factions within CAF, expressing confidence in the strength of the Libyan Federation’s position.
He emphasized that the LFF is not responsible for the aircraft’s change in flight path that led to the unscheduled landing at Al-Abraq Airport.
According to him, this decision was made at the level of the Libyan state, and he stressed that the sovereignty of Libya should be acknowledged and respected by all parties involved.
This situation highlights the complexities surrounding international sports events, especially in regions where political and security issues intersect with athletic competitions.
The implications of such incidents extend beyond football, impacting diplomatic relations and national pride.
The outcome of the CAF’s investigation and the subsequent actions of both football federations will be closely watched as they unfold in the coming days.
Napoli have been cautioned against signing Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, despite his strong form for Atalanta last season. Italian football analyst Marcelo Altamura believes Lookman struggles with tactical discipline and often ignores instructions on the pitch.
Instead, he advised the Serie A champions to go for Mattia Zaccagni and Dan Ndoye, whom he described as more reliable and better suited to Napoli’s system.
Speaking on 1 Station Radio, Altamura explained, “Zaccagni and Ndoye are solid players. Ndoye is fast, technical, and disciplined. Unlike Lookman, he follows instructions and fits into the team structure.”
He described Lookman as a gifted player who can score brilliant goals but tends to drift from the game plan. Lookman finished the 2024–25 Serie A season with 15 goals and 5 assists in 31 appearances, sparking interest from top clubs including Napoli.
TRT Spor pundit Kaya Çilingiroğlu has sparked debate after claiming that Argentina’s Mauro Icardi is a better striker than Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen. Both players were teammates at Galatasaray last season, where Osimhen made a big impact during his loan spell from Napoli. Galatasaray is now pushing to keep the 26-year-old forward permanently, reportedly offering him a staggering €25 million per year to sign a long-term deal.
However, Çilingiroğlu doesn’t seem worried about whether Osimhen stays or not. “Even if Osimhen doesn’t return, it’s not a big deal,” he said. “Icardi is better. If I know football, Osimhen can’t earn that kind of money anywhere else in Europe.” He added that as time passes, Galatasaray gains more leverage in the negotiations.
Jadon Sancho is attracting serious interest from two top Italian clubs as he weighs his next move away from Manchester United this summer.
Juventus have reportedly opened talks with United in recent hours over a potential deal for the England international. Napoli are also keen and have made direct contact with Sancho’s representatives to explore the possibility of bringing him to Naples.
The winger spent last season on loan at Chelsea, but the London side chose not to make the move permanent. Sancho has since returned to Old Trafford, but with new manager Ruben Amorim yet to finalize his squad for next season, the winger’s future remains uncertain. A final decision on his next club is expected soon.
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