The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded the Super Eagles of Nigeria full points and a 3-0 victory in their abandoned AFCON 2025 qualifier return match against Libya on October 15, 2024.
The ruling, announced by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee, comes after the Nigerian team’s flight was diverted to Al Abraq Airport instead of Benghazi Airport and left without food, water, or communication for nearly 22 hours.
Nigeria subsequently withdrew from the match in protest, and ordered their team home out of safety concerns.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) deemed this treatment a clear breach of CAF’s Code of Conduct and submitted a protest to CAF.
The CAF committee found that the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) breached Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
Consequently, Libya was fined $50,000 and has 60 days from the ruling to pay Nigeria.
This decision means that Nigeria now has 10 points from four games, placing them four points ahead of Benin Republic and five points ahead of Rwanda in Group D.
The Super Eagles’ next match is scheduled for November 2024 in Abidjan against the Benin Republic. They will endeavor to confirm their slot in the AFCON tournament. They are already on the brink of qualification, needing only a draw against the Beninoise.
Libya has threatened to appeal the ruling, arguing that its team faced similar treatment while in Nigeria. Even if it did, it did not say then.
This ruling not only boosts Nigeria’s chances of qualifying but also improves CAF’s standing and reputation for commitment to its rules in ensuring players’ safety and fair treatment during its sporting events.
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