Nigeria won the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification against Libya, earning three points from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Nigeria’s flight was held hostage for more than 20 hours without food or drink, hence the game was postponed.
The Super Eagles were requested to return home after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) declared their withdrawal from the qualifying match. The flight detour was not deliberate, according to the Libyan Football Federation (LFF).
The Libyan team was found guilty by CAF of violating Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code following an investigation.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has ruled out any lack of sportsmanship or unfair treatment in African football.
Nigeria maintains its top spot in Group D with ten points from four games.
CAF statement reads:
‘’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.”
