For 1997 African footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba, Monday’s well-documented safe return of the Super Eagles from Libya was the second time he was escaping an ordeal in the North African police state.
In 2003 and in the twilight of a most distinguished career, ‘Prince of Monaco’ Ikpeba signed up with Al Ittihad.
The top Tripoli club aimed to be the Real Madrid of Africa and with the finance and power of President Gadafi’s family they also signed Patrick Mboma of Cameroon and Super Eagles defender Chikelue Iloenyosi.
Ikpeba took on this new challenge in Libya, but it all went sour 18 months later when salaries of many months were not forthcoming.
“I asked to leave,” he recounted to SCORENigeria
“They refused and instead they seized my international passport and ordered I refund the signing-on fee they paid me.”
This was a battle of nerves, which eventually needed the personal intervention of FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.
“Blatter gave the club 48 hours to allow me to leave Libya,” Ikpeba revealed.
“That was my saving grace.”
Ikpeba (middle) flanked by NFF President Gusau on safe return with Super Eagles
He continued: “It was great to be free again and that was the same feeling I had when I returned with the Super Eagles to Nigeria Monday.”
For Ikpeba, CAF will have to take most of the blame for how the Super Eagles and Nigeria were disrespected in Libya.
“CAF must clean up their act,” he demanded.
“I still wonder who approved for Libya, a war zone with two different governments, to be hosting international matches.
“Also, I am shocked that after the horrible things the Super Eagles went through, CAF still wanted them to go ahead and play this game in Libya.
“They don’t care for the safety and wellbeing of the players, who are the main actors of the game and without them, there will be no CAF.”
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