What if the story behind the recent Nigeria-Libya AFCON qualifier is more than just a cancelled match? Here’s what you need to know about the unexpected turn of events that led to Nigeria’s Super Eagles being awarded victory and Libya facing fines.
What Really Happened During the Nigeria-Libya AFCON Qualifier? A Controversial Twist Unfolds
- Nigeria’s Super Eagles Awarded Victory: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded Nigeria a 3-0 victory over Libya due to Libya’s rule violations.
- $50,000 Fine for Libya: The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) was fined $50,000 by CAF for poor treatment of the Nigerian team.
- Detention Incident: The Nigerian team was detained for over 16 hours without food or water at a Libyan airport before the scheduled match.
- AFCON Qualification Boost: With this decision, Nigeria is now closer to securing their spot in the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
A Match That Never Happened
The AFCON 2025 qualifier between Nigeria and Libya was set to take place on October 15, 2024, in Benghazi, Libya.
However, the game took a dramatic turn even before it began, as the Nigerian Super Eagles faced significant obstacles upon their arrival in Libya.
According to reports, the team was detained at Al Abraq Airport—a location 300 kilometers away from the scheduled Benghazi airport—without food, water, or communication access for over 16 hours.
This mistreatment raised alarm bells within the Nigerian camp, leading them to boycott the match.
“JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000,” William Troost-Ekong, the Super Eagles’ captain, stated on his X account, hinting at the challenges faced during the trip.
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CAF’s Verdict: A Win for Nigeria, A Fine for Libya
Following the chaos, both nations submitted petitions to CAF, seeking justice. Nigeria accused Libya of violating the rules on how visiting teams should be treated.
After examining the evidence, CAF’s Disciplinary Board concluded that Libya had breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
CAF announced its decision in a letter dated October 26, 2024, stating that the match was declared “lost by forfeit by Libya” with a default 3-0 score in favour of Nigeria. The Disciplinary Board also fined Libya’s Football Federation $50,000, citing the unsatisfactory treatment of the Nigerian delegation.
Libya’s Response: Plans to Appeal
Despite the decision, Libya did not accept CAF’s ruling quietly. According to local media reports (Al-Ahrar Channel), the Libyan Football Federation has instructed its legal team to appeal the decision. They argue that Nigeria’s boycott should not have resulted in an automatic loss for Libya and hope to reverse or reduce the penalties imposed.
A Boost to Nigeria’s AFCON Dreams
For Nigeria, the outcome has significant implications. With the awarded victory, the Super Eagles now lead Group D with 10 points, ahead of second-placed Benin Republic by four points. A draw or win in their upcoming match against Benin on November 14 in Abidjan would secure their place in the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria’s goalkeeper, expressed his thoughts humorously, questioning the $50,000 fine in a tweet: “$50k for eba?”— a reference to a popular Nigerian dish, highlighting the financial penalty’s perceived insignificance compared to the ordeal faced.
What’s Next?
With the appeal process looming, the final chapter of this story is far from written. If Libya’s appeal gains traction, it could lead to a revision of the match’s outcome or a reduction in fines.
However, for now, Nigeria stands a step closer to AFCON 2025, with the November match against Benin set to be a defining moment.
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