CAF Executive Committee member Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani has expressed strong frustration over Libya’s lack of support during the recent AFCON 2025 qualifier dispute hearing between Libya and Nigeria, as reported by Sportblog247.com.

Al-Shalmani criticized Libyan authorities for failing to provide an adequate defense, contrasting this with Nigeria’s robust delegation of over 20 representatives, including the Sports Minister and members of parliament.

Speaking to Libya Akhbar, Al-Shalmani described his role as Libya’s sole representative in the hearing as a missed opportunity for national unity. “While I was representing Libya alone, this issue was supposed to be an opportunity to unite ranks and support the homeland,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a united front on issues affecting Libya’s reputation.

Meanwhile, Amaju Pinnick, former Nigerian Football Federation president, indicated that CAF’s verdict on the incident is expected soon, noting CAF’s high-priority focus on resolving the matter.

The case arises from an incident on October 15, 2024, where Nigeria’s Super Eagles were detained at Libya’s Al Abraq Airport for over 15 hours before their scheduled match. In response, Nigeria’s team declined to play and returned home.