NIGERIA’S national football team has been awarded a 3-0 victory and three crucial points in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya, following a travel dispute that prevented the game from taking place. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) made the ruling on Saturday, positioning Nigeria on the brink of qualification for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, as they now top Group D with 10 points.
Incident details
The controversy unfolded on October 15 when Nigeria’s team was diverted to a remote Libyan airport in Bayda, roughly 250km from Benghazi, where the match was scheduled. Nigerian players and officials were kept at the airport for more than 16 hours with limited access to food and water and no direct communication from Libyan authorities. The Nigerian team ultimately decided to return home, citing mistreatment and safety concerns.
CAF’s verdict
CAF’s disciplinary committee ruled Libya in breach of hosting obligations, which require the home team to ensure proper arrangements for visiting teams, including transport and entry assistance. As a result, Nigeria was awarded a 3-0 win, and Libya was fined $50,000. CAF also highlighted the need to tighten regulations to prevent similar issues in the future, as African football often faces criticisms over inadequate treatment of visiting teams.
Group D standings
This decision places Nigeria four points ahead of Benin, their closest rivals, and five points ahead of Rwanda, with two matches left to play. Libya, with just one point from four games, sits at the bottom of the group.
Widespread criticism
The incident has been widely condemned as an extreme form of gamesmanship by Libya, especially after reports that Libyan players encountered travel difficulties in Nigeria days before. CAF President Patrice Motsepe has promised stricter measures to improve the treatment of visiting teams in African competitions.
