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Nigeria Awarded 3-0 Win Over Libya in AFCON Qualifier After Airport Incident
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria a 3-0 victory over Libya in their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier after the Nigerian team faced severe mistreatment upon arrival in Libya.
The October 15 match was forfeited by Nigeria after players and staff were stranded in a remote Libyan airport for over 16 hours, denied access to basic needs like food and water, and left without any assistance from Libyan officials. This decisive ruling now places Nigeria at the top of Group D with 10 points, edging them closer to securing their spot in the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee made this decision on Saturday, citing Libya’s violation of competition regulations which mandate that host nations must adequately receive visiting teams, facilitate entry procedures, and provide transport to ensure teams reach the match venue. Libya has also been fined $50,000 in light of these breaches, and the CAF committee’s decision leaves the Libyan team at the bottom of Group D with only one point from four games.
Background of the Incident
Nigeria’s charter flight, initially set to land in Benghazi, was unexpectedly redirected to Bayda, some 250 kilometers from the match location. There, the Nigerian team was held in a locked airport without basic amenities for over half a day, forcing them to return to Nigeria without fulfilling the fixture. Despite Libya’s response that this delay was unintended, CAF’s investigation found Libya accountable for the Nigerian team’s hardship and subsequent refusal to play.
This incident followed Libya’s own complaints of travel delays and challenging conditions experienced during their journey to Nigeria for the qualifier match in Uyo on October 11. Nigerian officials refuted any intentional mistreatment, but many observers saw the sequence of events as Libya’s attempt at retaliatory gamesmanship—a tactic often seen across African football but one now scrutinized by CAF officials.
CAF’s Response and Commitment to Improving Conditions
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has acknowledged the ongoing issue of inadequate treatment faced by visiting teams across the continent and pledged to implement stricter measures. Common challenges include deliberate delays at immigration, uncomfortable travel arrangements, and subpar training facilities, all of which have sparked broader concern and criticism.
Motsepe’s statement indicated CAF’s commitment to upholding a higher standard of hospitality and fairness in African competitions, aiming to protect players' well-being and create a more professional and equitable environment. As African football advances in its international standing, addressing these longstanding issues is increasingly essential for CAF’s credibility and the sport’s development on the continent.
Looking Ahead in Group D
Following the awarded points, Nigeria now leads Group D with 10 points, with two matches left in the qualifying round. Benin follows with six points, while Rwanda has five, and Libya trails with one point. With the top two teams in each group advancing to the AFCON finals, Nigeria’s prospects of qualification look promising as they approach their final matches.
This situation has underscored the pressing need for reforms within CAF to foster sportsmanship and fairness, setting a hopeful precedent for more supportive, structured hosting standards in African football.
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