AFCON Qualifiers: CAF Awards Victory To Nigeria, Fines Libya $50,000

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria three points and three goals for their abandoned Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.

This decision follows an investigation by CAF’s Disciplinary Board into the October 15 qualifier in Benghazi, where Nigeria’s Super Eagles faced poor treatment, leaving players and staff stranded at an airport for nearly a full day.

CAF found the Libya Football Federation guilty of violating Article 31 of AFCON Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

Along with forfeiting the game 3-0, Libya has been fined $50,000, with payment due within 60 days.

Key points from CAF’s decision:

• The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the African 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 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is 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.

This decision brings Nigeria closer to qualifying for the 2025 AFCON, now sitting at 10 points with two games left.

With a lead over Benin (6 points) and Rwanda (5 points), Nigeria needs only a win or a draw against Benin on November 14 to secure their place in the finals in Morocco, scheduled for late 2025.

KanyiDaily recalls that Libyan Football Federation (LFF) had threatened to take legal action over Nigeria’s decision to pull out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against its national team.