Nigeria has been awarded a 3-0 victory over Libya, along with three crucial points, for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier that was scheduled earlier this month. The Nigerian team refused to play the match after being stranded for over 16 hours at a remote Libyan airport, with inadequate provisions and lack of contact from local officials.
On Saturday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee awarded Nigeria the 3-0 win, positioning them at the top of Group D and on the verge of qualifying for next year’s finals. With 10 points, Nigeria now sits four points ahead of second-placed Benin and five ahead of Rwanda, with two games left in the qualifiers. Libya, with just one point from four matches, remains in last place in the group. The top two teams will secure a spot in the 2025 finals in Morocco.
The Nigerian team initially arrived in Libya on October 15, but after a last-minute redirection, their flight landed in Bayda, approximately 250 km from their intended destination in Benghazi. Due to these logistical issues and extended confinement without sufficient food or water, Nigeria ultimately opted to return home without playing the fixture.
CAF ruled that Libya had breached competition regulations, which mandate that host associations must provide visiting teams with a suitable reception, assist with entry procedures, and arrange transportation. As a result, CAF awarded Nigeria the match by default with a 3-0 scoreline and imposed a $50,000 fine on Libya.