Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) has asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to move the U23 first leg against DR Congo, scheduled for Lubumbashi, over fears of Ebola. Kola Daniel, special media assistant to the NSC director general, confirms it.
According to Leadership.ng, the NSC has written to CAF asking that the Nigeria-DR Congo first leg, a CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, not be played at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The reason is fear of an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo. The move, revealed by the Nigerian outlet, was confirmed by Kola Daniel, who said the commission is now waiting for CAF’s response before deciding what to do next.
An official letter to CAF
Kola Daniel set out the commission’s position plainly: “The National Sports Commission (NSC) has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that the match between DR Congo and Nigeria should be moved from TP Mazembe Stadium in DR Congo because of the ugly disease Ebola in that country,” he told Leadership.ng.
The NSC is not merely raising a flag: it explicitly links the venue, TP Mazembe’s stadium, to the health situation in the host country.
However, CAF had not yet replied to the request when the information was published. No decision can therefore be presumed at this stage.
Figures cited with caution
The case rests on health data in circulation that has not been verified: more than 9,800 cases and more than 4,700 deaths since May, according to the figures relayed by Leadership.ng. These elements should be handled with caution, as there is no independent confirmation in the available information.
The NSC cites a precautionary measure for its delegation, although the case does not name any health authority in support of its request.
A strategy meeting on Monday
The approach to CAF comes with an internal side. A strategy meeting with the relevant authorities was scheduled for Monday to discuss measures aimed at minimising health risks for the Nigerian delegation, again according to Leadership.ng.
Kola Daniel summed up the body’s position: “We are waiting for the response of CAF until further decision can be taken by the leadership of NSC.” The commission does not intend to decide before knowing the Confederation of African Football’s position.