CAF Awards Nigeria 3 Point, Fines Libya
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finally taken a decision on the 2025 African Cup of Nations match-day four qualifier between Libya and Nigeria which the Super Eagles abandoned after they were held hostage by the Libyan authorities.
Osun Defender recalls that the Nigeria Football Federation had lodged a complaint with CAF after the Libyan authorities subjected the Super Eagles to inhuman treatment upon arriving in the country for the second leg against the Mediterranean Knights on Sunday.
In a video posted by the Eagles media team, the players and officials were left stranded with their luggage at the airport, with the Libyan airport officials indifferent to their plight and conversing in Arabic.
Libya were scheduled to host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi, but their plane was diverted to the Al Abraq Airport, which is over 200 km and three and a half hours drive from the planned camp site.
The Al Abraq International Airport, typically used for hajj operations, lacked basic amenities, leaving players and officials tired and frustrated. Neither a receptive team nor vehicles were provided by the Libyan Football Federation, forcing the Nigeria Football Federation to make an alternate transportation arrangement.
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The Nigerian contingent was caged at the airport for over 20 hours without food or water and completely shut out of the world, compelling the West African giants to boycott the game.
However, the continental soccer body, on Saturday, awarded the match to Nigeria with three points and three goals, while asking the North Africans to pay a fine of $50,000 for breaching Article 31 of AFCON regulations.
CAF took the following decisions:
1. The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the AfricanCup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
2. 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).
3. The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.
4. The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.
5. All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
