BY KUNLE SOLAJA

While the Libya Football Federation is still battling to come to terms with the recent sanctions imposed on their handling of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Nigeria, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has again sanctioned another Libyan team for violence during a match.

According to reports that Sports Village Square gathered in Libya, Libyan club Al Ahly Tripoli has been found guilty of violence in an incident that happened during a CAF Inter Club preliminary rounds game against Simba SC of Tanzania.

Libya Al-Ahrar informs that the CAF Disciplinary Board has issued a financial penalty of  $20,000 and banned Ahli Tripoli fans from attending two home matches in African competitions. This brings to $70,000 the amount that Libya has incurred for infraction of the CAF rules. The football federation had on Saturday been fined $50,000 and match forfeiture to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification series.

The latest CAF decision came as a result of the repercussions of the report of the observer of the Al-Ahly and Simba match in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup, which was held at Tripoli Stadium.

It was gathered that Al Ahly Tripoli players and fans attacked Simba SC players and the referees in the CAF Confederation Cup game that ended goalless on September 15

Again, as it is in the sanction imposed on Libya in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Nigeria, Al-Ahly Tripoli has appealed against the Disciplinary Board’s decision.

It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.

 The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.

Enyimba FC head coach Yemi Olarenwaju has set his sights on securing a crucial victory in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup tie against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou.

His confidence is built on the  goalless draw in the first leg in Bamako.

“The job is far from over, and we can’t afford to celebrate yet. The return leg in Uyo will be crucial,” Olarenwaju was quoted by the club’s website as saying.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and prepare for the challenge ahead.”

Olarenwaju praised his team’s tactical edge and discipline, which nullified the hosts’ attacking threats. “We had a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly. Our tactical discipline prevented Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou from creating any meaningful scoring opportunities.”

The Enyimba FC boss acknowledged the tough opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a win at home.

“Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou is a formidable opponent, but we have the quality and determination to get the job done in Uyo.”

As we look forward to the return leg, we urge all Enyimba FC fans to come out in their numbers and support the team at the Uyo Stadium. Let’s make our home advantage count and cheer the People’s Elephant to victory!