The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria three points and three goals for their abandoned Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
The decision comes after a CAF Disciplinary Board investigation into the disrupted October 15 match in Benghazi. Nigeria’s Super Eagles had refused to proceed with the game after being left stranded for nearly a day at an abandoned airport by the host country.
CAF’s ruling stated that the Libyan Football Federation violated Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The 5-point decision 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.
CAF president, Patrice Motsepe had earlier said that the continental body would not tolerate any lack of sportsmanship and unfair treatment in African football.
With the decision, Nigeria now has ten (10) points from four games and remain at the top of Group D.