In a significant ruling, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria’s Super Eagles a 3-0 victory and three points for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Libya, following a series of disruptions that led to Libya’s disqualification.
The match, scheduled for October 15 in Benghazi, did not take place after the Nigerian team reportedly spent over 12 hours stranded at a Libyan airport without food or drink.
The CAF Disciplinary Board, after reviewing the incident, found the Libya Football Federation guilty of violating Article 31 of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. These breaches prompted CAF to declare the match forfeited by Libya, effectively awarding Nigeria a 3-0 victory.
In addition to the forfeiture, the Libya Football Federation was fined USD 50,000 for its role in the debacle, with CAF mandating payment within 60 days. The decision underscores CAF’s commitment to ensuring fair play and upholding standards for all teams competing in the tournament.
The forfeited match significantly boosts Nigeria’s AFCON qualification campaign, as the awarded three points move them closer to securing a place in the prestigious tournament set to take place in Morocco in 2025. Meanwhile, Libya’s qualification hopes take a hit as they are now faced with potential consequences beyond the fine and match forfeiture.
CAF’s decision serves as a strong reminder of the governing body’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of African football and ensuring the fair treatment of teams competing at the continental level.
