Nigeria have been awarded a 3–0 victory and three valuable points after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that their abandoned Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya should be recorded in their favour Softfootball reports.
The decision, announced on Saturday, strengthens Nigeria’s position at the top of Group D, where they now lead with 10 points from four matches — four ahead of Benin and five clear of Rwanda. Libya remain bottom with just one point, facing a difficult path to qualification. The top two nations will earn spots at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
The fixture was scheduled to take place on 15 October in the coastal city of Benghazi, but events surrounding Nigeria’s arrival in Libya forced an unprecedented cancellation. The Super Eagles’ charter flight, en route to Benghazi, was unexpectedly diverted to the eastern city of Bayda, nearly 250 kilometres away. Upon landing, Nigerian players and officials were prevented from leaving the airport and endured more than 16 hours of confinement without access to food, water, or reliable communication.
Team officials described the situation as “distressing, degrading, and totally unsafe,” noting that repeated attempts to reach Libyan authorities went unanswered. With players exhausted and shaken, and with no assurances regarding their safety or transport to Benghazi, the Nigerian Football Federation made the decision to call off their participation and return home.
Libya’s football federation denied intentional misconduct, insisting that the issues were a result of unexpected aviation and logistical complications. They argued that their own delegation had faced severe travel disruptions during their trip to Uyo four days earlier for the first leg — a match Nigeria won 1–0 — implying that the difficulties experienced by both sides were coincidental.
Despite Libya’s defence, CAF’s disciplinary committee concluded that the hosts had failed in their mandatory duties. Under tournament regulations, host nations must guarantee proper reception for visiting teams, including facilitation of immigration procedures, timely transport, and adequate security. CAF ruled that Libya’s failure to meet these obligations amounted to a breach serious enough to justify awarding the match to Nigeria by a 3–0 margin. In addition, Libya received a $50,000 fine.
The ruling has intensified ongoing concerns about the treatment of visiting teams in African competitions. Reports of long, unexplained delays at airports, unsuitable training pitches, missing luggage, and deliberately inconvenient travel arrangements have become common talking points in CAF tournaments. Many commentators across the continent interpreted the Libya incident as a worrying escalation of an old problem — one that now appears to be drawing sharper scrutiny from CAF’s leadership.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe recently acknowledged the growing frustration among member nations and reiterated the confederation’s intention to introduce stricter oversight and heavier penalties. “African football must be built on fairness, safety, and mutual respect,” Motsepe said last month. “There will be stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure that all teams are welcomed and treated properly.”
For Nigeria, the decision represents both relief and momentum. The Super Eagles now sit comfortably atop the group and are on course to secure early qualification for Morocco 2025. Their next fixtures will give them the opportunity to mathematically guarantee a place at the tournament, with morale boosted and controversy put firmly behind them.
Libya, meanwhile, face significant pressure both on and off the pitch. With only one point and a disciplinary fine to contend with, their qualification hopes are fading rapidly — and scrutiny over their hosting capabilities is likely to continue.
