The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted Nigeria a win and all three points in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, which was postponed last month.
The Super Eagles and Libya were supposed to face off on October 15 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina, Benghazi, in the fourth match of the AFCON qualification series. However, when the Nigerian team’s flight arrived at Al Abaq airport, they were held ”hostage” for more than 20 hours without food or drink.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would subsequently announce the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match, instructing them to return home.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) responded by stating that the Nigerian national team’s aircraft reroute was not “intentional”.
However, after an examination, the CAF determined that the Libyan team violated Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The 5-point decision reads: “The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“The match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).
“The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.
“The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.
“All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has already stated that the continental body will not tolerate any lack of sportsmanship or unfair treatment in African football.
With the decision, Nigeria now has ten (10) points from four games and continues to lead Group D.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
