AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Libya’s Retaliatory Actions on Nigerians Spark International Tensions
Libya’s Retaliation Against Nigerians During AFCON 2025 Qualifiers Sparks International Outcry
In a series of tense developments following a verdict by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), reports have emerged of mass arrests and fines imposed on Nigerians living in Libya.
This crackdown has intensified after CAF sanctioned Libya’s football authorities in response to alleged mistreatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles during their stay in the North African nation.
The controversy began when the Nigerian football team arrived in Libya for their second-leg Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match. The team was initially scheduled to land at Benghazi Airport and undertake a four-hour drive to Benina, the match location.
However, only an hour before landing, Libyan authorities redirected the flight to Al-Abraq Airport, 150 miles from the intended destination, forcing the players to wait over 20 hours under restrictive conditions. This incident prompted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw from the match, filing a formal complaint to CAF regarding their treatment.
In response, on October 26, CAF’s disciplinary committee issued a ruling in favor of Nigeria, awarding the Super Eagles three points and three goals for the canceled match. The disciplinary board held Libya’s Football Federation (LFF) accountable, citing violations of both the AFCON regulations and the CAF Disciplinary Code. Additionally, the LFF received a $50,000 fine, which must be paid within 60 days.
The verdict, however, was met with strong resistance from the LFF President Nasser Al-Suwai’I, who decried the decision as unfair and alleged that NFF’s influence within CAF had contributed to the ruling. Al-Suwai’I announced the LFF’s intention to appeal, suggesting that if CAF denies their appeal, the matter could escalate to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Following CAF’s decision, tensions surged in Libya as the issue became a national talking point. Local media and social media platforms began promoting a campaign against Nigerians, urging authorities to impose fines and deport Nigerians residing in Libya without official permits. Prominent Libyan news channels and blogs broadcasted messages blaming Nigerians for Libya’s fines, suggesting that Nigerian residents should collectively bear the financial penalty. One blog, Libya News Today 1, urged Libyan citizens to demand the government collect a $500 tax from Nigerians, portraying them as an “unwanted burden” on the Libyan economy.
In Tripoli, as well as other regions with Nigerian communities, authorities reportedly began rounding up Nigerian nationals, leading to widespread panic. Adenaike Emmanuel, a Nigerian based in Tripoli, shared with Sunday PUNCH that the arrests started shortly after the CAF statement circulated. According to Emmanuel, individuals in his area were apprehended without consideration of their legal status, marking a significant deviation from normal immigration protocol. Emmanuel stated, “Libyans are known for expressing their feelings openly, and they seem to view these actions as justified retaliation.”
Peter Omoregbie, President of the Nigerian community in Libya, confirmed these incidents, adding that Nigerian citizens were detained even if they held valid passports or residence permits. In a video shared by multiple Nigerian blogs, Omoregbie voiced concern about the unlawful arrests, noting that the tensions were exacerbated by local media stoking anti-Nigerian sentiment. He lamented, “This kind of targeted action against Nigerians does not happen elsewhere. Many of us feel helpless, with limited support from the Nigerian Embassy.”
As the situation escalated, some Libyan platforms continued to post inflammatory content, including threats to detain and fine Nigerians, regardless of their documentation status. A video posted on Libya INF.TV showed a Nigerian appealing to Libyan police to avoid linking the football dispute with innocent Nigerians living and working in the country. He questioned the rationale of the Nigerian football team’s trip to Libya, implying it had inadvertently worsened conditions for other Nigerians in the country.
Amid the crackdown, Ahmed Hamza, Chairman of the National Institution for Human Rights in Libya, intervened, warning security agencies and the public against acts of retaliation against Nigerian migrants. Hamza condemned the anti-Nigerian rhetoric, cautioning that unlawful actions against foreigners could have legal consequences both domestically and internationally. His statement called for restraint, underscoring the importance of human rights protections for all residents, regardless of nationality.
Efforts to reach out for diplomatic support from both Libyan and Nigerian authorities have been met with delays. When Sunday PUNCH contacted the Libyan Embassy in Abuja, a representative declined to comment, advising that inquiries be formally addressed to the ambassador. The Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli similarly refrained from providing an immediate response. Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have yet to issue an official statement.
Former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, weighed in on the issue, urging the Nigerian government to investigate the retaliatory actions and report Libya to the African Union if necessary. According to Amedu-Ode, the Federal Government could protest Libya’s treatment of Nigerian nationals through formal channels, provided they gather adequate evidence. He advised Nigerians in Libya to remain cautious, stating, “If the environment becomes too hostile, they may need to consider leaving.”
The mass arrests of Nigerians in Libya have shed light on the volatility of foreign relations surrounding sports events. While CAF’s verdict aimed to address a breach of sports regulations, it has inadvertently triggered a diplomatic strain, placing Nigerian migrants in Libya at risk. As Libyan authorities and the Nigerian government navigate this contentious issue, international oversight may prove essential in safeguarding the rights of Nigerians abroad. This developing situation serves as a sobering reminder of how sports and international politics can intertwine, often with unexpected and far-reaching implications.
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