Protests Libya - Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last night said that it was yet to receive any communication from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the status of the African Youth Championship billed to hold in Libya next month. The prospect of the continental spectacle holding in the north-African country has been a source of concern following the escalating political uprising in Libya, which has clamed more than 200 lives. The crisis in Libya is a direct outcome of the protests in the Arab world, which has already led to the resignation of the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt.

The Nigerian team, which will play two Group B matches in Benghazi, is currently in Antalya, Turkey preparing for the tournament. Benghazi is where the protests against the government has been fiercest.

NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire, said that though they were yet to receive communication on the status of the tournament from CAF, the safely of the Nigerian players was very paramount to the football federation which is monitoring the situation.

"We have been alerted to the crisis in Libya, which began before our team left for Turkey. We are watching the event by keeping in touch with the relevant bodies, including our embassy in Libya, and other teams that will be attending the tournament on what to do. We can never compromise on the safety of our players," Olajire said.

Olawale Ajimotokan

This Day/22/02/2011