The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria’s Super Eagles a 3-0 win and three points over Libya, following the North African country’s failure to ensure safe conditions for the AFCON 2025 qualifier scheduled for October 15, 2024, in Benghazi.
The decision, announced Saturday by CAF Disciplinary Board Chairperson Ousmane Kane, follows findings that the Libya Football Federation violated multiple regulations — including Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“Match No. 87 — Libya vs. Nigeria — is declared lost by forfeit by Libya with a score of 3-0,” the CAF statement confirmed.
FINE SLAPPED ON LIBYA
As part of the ruling, CAF also fined the Libya Football Federation $50,000, payable within 60 days.
The sanction comes after Nigeria’s national team alleged inhumane treatment by Libyan authorities, including a deliberate diversion of their flight, which left the players and officials stranded and unable to honor the match.
CAF PRESIDENT VOWS ZERO TOLERANCE
CAF President Patrice Motsepe, speaking earlier at the CAF General Assembly, condemned such conduct and affirmed CAF’s commitment to accountability and sportsmanship.
“We will not tolerate this. It has gone on for too long. From holding teams at airports to disqualifying top players under false pretexts — it’s unacceptable,” Motsepe said.
“This is not just about Nigeria and Libya. CAF is taking a firm stance moving forward.”
The ruling boosts Nigeria’s qualification hopes, as they now add three crucial points to their group tally — without kicking a ball.
