AFCON: LIBYAN LAMENTS ABSENCE OF WITNESSES
By Kunle Solaja

Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, a Libyan member of the CAF Executive Committee has lamented that the Libyans did not present strong evidence at the CAF hearing of the controversy-ridden Libya-Nigeria match.

According to a statement he made in the Libyan publication, Libya Akhbar, Al-Shalmani remarked that the trial scene reflected the great disparity in support provided to the two contesting teams.

 He pointed out that more than 20 people represented the Nigerian team in the case, including the Minister of Sports, members of the Nigerian Parliament, and other prominent figures.

On the other hand, Al-Shalmani expressed his dissatisfaction with the absence of any official Libyan support, as he found himself alone in representing Libya in this case, which he described as “national. ” He expressed his disappointment at the Libyan officials’ neglect of this vital file.

Al-Shalmani stressed: “While I was representing Libya alone, this issue was supposed to be an opportunity to unite ranks and support the homeland. It is unreasonable for me to address the responsible authorities individually without having an official position that would enable me to do so. This is an issue that affects Libya’s dignity and sporting reputation and requires everyone’s intervention.”