CAF Awards Nigeria Extra Points, Fines Libya $50,000

Nigeria’s football team, has been awarded three points and three goals by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after abandoning their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights due to ill treatment, Warri Sentinel has learnt.

This was revealed in a statement by Ousmane Kane, Chairperson of CAF Disciplinary Board on Saturday, October 26.

The ruling comes after an investigation into the incident that occurred on October 15 in Benghazi.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles were forced to abandon the match due to inadequate treatment by Libyan authorities, which left players and staff stranded at an abandoned airport.

In its decision, CAF’s Disciplinary Board found the Libya Football Federation in violation of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

The ruling states:

“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 emphasized that the governing body would not tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct or unfair treatment in African football.

With this recent development, Nigeria now tops Group D with ten points from four matches.