The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially awarded Nigeria three points and a 3-0 victory following the forfeiture of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. The decision comes on the heels of an investigation into Libya’s treatment of the Nigerian team, which resulted in the match being abandoned. This ruling places Nigeria one step closer to securing their place in the AFCON tournament, reaffirming CAF’s dedication to upholding standards of fair play and respect across African football.
The CAF Disciplinary Board, led by Chairperson Ousmane Kane, announced the verdict after finding Libya guilty of breaching regulations that govern the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) now faces a $50,000 fine, which must be paid within 60 days. According to CAF, the decision was based on Libya’s violation of Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, which outline the obligations of host nations in ensuring the safety and proper treatment of visiting teams.
This unprecedented decision followed an incident on October 15, when Nigerian players and officials arrived in Libya for their qualifier, only to be stranded at a Libyan airport for hours. With limited access to food and internet, and facing significant discomfort, the Super Eagles were unable to proceed with their scheduled game. Calls for action and social media advocacy eventually prompted diplomatic intervention, but by then, the match had already been canceled, and the Nigerian team returned home without taking to the field.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed his disappointment over the incident, emphasizing the organization’s focus on ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all teams. “Our commitment to fairness and respect in football must be mirrored in all interactions, especially when players are representing their countries,” Motsepe stated earlier this month.
CAF’s disciplinary committee comprised a five-member panel with representatives from across the continent, including Chairperson Ousmane Kane (Senegal), Vice-Chairperson Njeri Onyango (Kenya), and members Felix Golbassia (Chad), Patrick Shale (Lesotho), and Norman Arendse (South Africa). After a thorough investigation, the committee confirmed that the Libyan Football Federation had indeed violated CAF’s code, leading to the forfeit in Nigeria’s favor.
The ruling grants Nigeria the three points they needed to continue competing for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, the fine imposed on the LFF underlines CAF’s firm stance against any form of mistreatment and misconduct in African football, setting a significant precedent for future qualifiers and tournament preparations across the continent.
