Aftermath of the event that took place two weeks back in Lybia which led to the cancellation of the 2025 Africa Cup of nations game between Lybia and Nigeria, the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) on Saturday afternoon reached a decision on the matter, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
Recall that Nigeria was billed to tackle Lybia on Tuesday 15th of October at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, Benghazi. The Nigerian team was scheduled to land in Benghazi, however, their flight was diverted to the remote Al-Abraq airport on the outskirts of Benghazi for over 22 hours.
The decision and treatment led the Nigerian team's withdrawal from the game.
Nigeria had no access to food or water and had no contact with the Libyan officials during the incident, prompting condemnation from the football fraternity globally.
That prompted the Super Eagles crew to fly back to Nigeria instead of honouring the game.
Following the development, the Libyan authorities said the action was not deliberate and equally claimed their team faced similar treatment in the first leg of the match four days earlier in Nigeria.
However, in its ruling on Saturday, signed by chairman Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board determined that the Libyan Football Federation was in breach of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“The Libyan Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa 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 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi), is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (with a record of 3-0),” the ruling read in part.
"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."
With the verdict, the Super Eagles are now on 10 points from four games in the AFCON qualifiers, four more ahead of Benin Republic in second position.
They need a point from their last two games – at home against Rwanda and away to Benin Republic – to seal their ticket to the continental showpiece.
Oluwayemi Omolagba