Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun has openly criticized the behavior of some African football fans, particularly in light of recent incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
One such incident occurred when the Nigerian contingent faced a harrowing ordeal in Libya. Their plane was diverted mid-air, and they were left stranded at Al Braq Airport for over 18 hours without internet, food, or a place to rest.
The scheduled match against Libya was eventually canceled, with CAF’s disciplinary committee later awarding Nigeria three points and three goals due to the circumstances.
A month later, Benin Republic endured a similar ordeal when they traveled to Libya for their own AFCON qualifier.
After the game ended 0-0, with Benin securing qualification and Libya missing out, chaos ensued. Libyan fans attacked the Beninese players and officials, escalating an already tense situation.
During the ordeal, Balogun lent his voice to the situation, calling on FIFPRO, CAF, and other relevant authorities to urgently address the matter.
In an interview with Brila.net, Balogun did not hold back his frustration, describing the situation as deeply troubling and calling for introspection.
“This is not just about football; it’s a mentality issue.
Unfortunately, you have to question the culture because what makes someone think it’s okay to act this way, no matter the situation?”
The 2019 AFCON bronze medalist drew comparisons to Europe while emphasizing the gravity of the situation in Africa.
“I’m not saying Europe is holier than thou, but you rarely see things escalate to this extent. Over there, you might encounter racial abuse, which is terrible in itself, but physical attacks on players and officials? That’s madness. And that’s why I had to lend my voice to this issue.”
“It makes Africa look bad. People will say, ‘Ah, this is Africa, poor Africans, it’s always the Africans.’
They come with their lies, saying we don’t have pitches or basic facilities. I don’t like it, but we have to admit we still give them enough ammunition to make these kinds of comments.”
A Call for Change
The 2022 Europa League finalist underline the urgent need for reform in African football, not just on the pitch but also in the attitudes and behaviors surrounding the game.
Such incidents tarnish the image of African football and highlight the challenges that must be addressed to foster growth and respect for the sport on the continent.
