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By Esther Egbe
Sports Entrepreneur and former Gombe United Football Club Chairman, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe swiftly took time to educate football stakeholders that are demanding an apology over his comments on the implications based on CAF rules on the botched Libya versus Super Eagles 2nd leg AFCON qualifier match in Benghazi,he spoke with Amebo newspaper recently.
He told our reporter that his regret at the level ignorance Nigeria’s football authorities had exhibited following Nigeria and Libyan National Teams debacle recently.
Honourable Ahmed explained that his attention has been drawn to a report which he confirmed that some hydra-headed stakeholders were critizing him based on his comments concerning the Super Eagles and Libya National Teams.
Some are even calling for my head, saying I should Apologise.
Firstly, let me categorically say here that I owe no one an Apology because I have done nothing wrong.Those to apologise are People who brought disgrace to Nigerian Sports, those who have stollen Nigeria’s resources in Sports”.
Former Gombe United Chairman noted that “There are people who have stollen anything there is in Nigerian football and are representing us in FIFA, they are the ones that supposed to apologise.
The Sports Enterpreneur revealed that someone was also given N24 billion in less than one year for the AFCON, and Olympic Games and it was squandered without a Medal. Did anyone ask him to apologise?And you are asking me to Apologise for exercising my foundamental human rights, for expressing my personal opinion? I’m not going to do that.”
The Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, said that, “I will still repeat that it is senseless for Eagles to return to Nigeria without playing the match in Libya.We would be making the greatest mistake if Nigeria think CAF will award Nigeria three points and three goals. The best they will do is to insist the match between Nigeria vs Libya be played in Benghazi and may fine Nigeria for abandoning the match.”
CAF are not fools, they will listen to Nigeria and Libya, the Noise Nigeria made so far does not matter, there are no sentiments or emotions, CAF rules are supreme on this matter.”What does CAF rules say over Teams alleged maltreatment at the Airport, none, as all these are not captured in the rules, so on what bases is Nigeria going to argue this?
Honourable Shuaibu said that if Libyans didn’t bring water, food, a place to sleep at the airport or Wi-fi for communication and you take that as Maltreatment, CAF don’t care because all these are not in the CAF rules that can stop matches from taking place.CAF will begin to consider your request if all aforementioned incidents took place when the Super Eagles are in their Hotel not at the airport.
He further explained that for instance Sudan have two Government, You have to identify the government CAF is dealing with should anything goes amis.If you think you have a Nigerian as head of CAF Competitions, you are dreaming, it doesn’t work like that.
He concluded that the Nigeria vs Libya issue is a test case for CAF, should CAF do anything outside its rules, CAF is finished.The worst case scenario would be to play the match in Benghazi and place a fine on Nigeria for opting out of a Scheduled CAF Match.
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