Botched AFCON Qualifier: CAF awards Nigeria 3 points, fines Libya $50,000, Libya files appeal
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has slammed Libya with a 50,000 dollars fine and also awarded Nigeri three points from the botched Matchday 4 2025 AFCON Qualifier.
BRANDECONOMY reports that the match earlier scheduled to be played between Libya and Nigeria in Benina on Oct. 15, was cancelled.
This was after Nigeria’s delegation to the qualifier slated to hold in Benghazi on Tuesday, were left stranded for over 20 hours at the airport.
The delay followed a diversion of their plane from Benghazi to Al Abaq airport, a three-hour drive away from their original destination in Benghazi where the team were held hostage without food, water or internet services.
Coach Eguavoen says Super Eagles 1-0 victory over Libya a huge relief
A statement by CAF Disciplinary Board on its ruling on Saturday, signed by the chairman, Ousmane Kane, said the Disciplinary Board met and decided as follows:
“The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“The match No. 87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October in Benghazi) declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).
“The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.
“The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.
“All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” the statement said.
BRANDECONOMY also reports that the implication is that Nigeria is now poised to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.
With the decision, the Eagles now have 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points.
Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.
Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Nov. 14 (a Matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December 2025/January 2026.
Libya files appeal
Meanwhile the Libya Football Federation (LFF) has launched an appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the punishment meted out to them on the botched 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria.
Daily Trust reports that the Super Eagles of Nigeria faced significant challenges, including a redirected flight, over 18 hours of delays, and logistical issue during a trip for return leg of the 1-0 match in favour of Nigeria in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
As a result, CAF canceled the match, awarding three goals and three points to the Super Eagles while slamming a $50,000 fine on the Libyans.
A statement by CAF Disciplinary Board in its ruling on Saturday, signed by the chairman, Ousmane Kane, said the Disciplinary Board ruled met and decided as follows:
“The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“The match No. 87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October in Benghazi) declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).
“The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000. The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision. All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
However, according to Libyan outlet alwasat.ly, the LFF considers as unfair the decision that has placed them at the bottom of Group D in the AFCON qualifiers.
The Libyan authorities have therefore engaged the services of a Tunisian lawyer, Ali Abbas, to defend their position.
The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the ongoing qualification process, particularly for Nigeria, who currently needs only one more point to secure their place in the competition in Morocco.
