CAF’s Decision on Nigeria vs. Libya AFCON Qualifier
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a decisive ruling regarding the 2025 AFCON qualifier between Libya and Nigeria, which was originally scheduled for October 15, 2024, in Benghazi.
Libya Penalized for Regulatory Breach
The CAF Disciplinary Board determined that the Libya Football Federation violated:
- Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations
- Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code
As a result, Libya has been declared to have forfeited the match, awarding Nigeria a 3-0 victory.
Libya Fined by CAF
Along with forfeiting the match, Libya has been fined $50,000, which must be paid within 60 days. CAF has also made it clear that no further appeals will be entertained regarding this ruling.
Impact on Nigeria and Libya
This decision has major implications:
- Nigeria moves higher in the qualification standings, improving their chances of securing an AFCON 2025 spot.
- Libya suffers both a points deduction and a financial setback due to the imposed fine.
Background: Travel Issues and Previous Complaints
CAF’s ruling also sheds light on past travel issues between the two nations. Nigeria’s squad was left stranded for nearly 20 hours due to a flight diversion, lacking essential amenities like food, water, and internet access.
Libya, on the other hand, had previously raised similar complaints about their travel experience when they visited Nigeria for the first leg of the qualifiers.
Related News:
➡️ Read more about AFCON qualifiers at SoccerVar
➡️ CAF Official Statement on the Ruling
