AFCON qualifiers: CAF awards 3-0 win to Nigeria, fines Libya $50k over airport incident

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria a win and the full three points in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with Libya that was postponed this month.

The African football governing body announced the verdict in a statement on Saturday.

The Super Eagles and Libya were originally scheduled to clash at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina, Benghazi on October 15, in matchday four of the AFCON qualification series.

CAF Media Statement: pic.twitter.com/3nNfawoCA4

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— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) October 26, 2024

The Nigerian national team’s flight landed at Al Abaq airport but the players and coaches were held for over 20 hours without food and drinks.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would later announce the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match and asked them to return home.

Reacting, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said the flight diversion experienced by the Nigerian national team was not “intentional”.

The LFF rejected claims of “foul play or sabotage” and argued that their team faced a similar situation in Nigeria.

The Libyan FA also vowed to take “all necessary legal measures” to protect Libya’s national team’s interests.

The African football governing body earlier disclosed that it was investigating the “disturbing” incident.

On Saturday, CAF awarded the Super Eagles all three points for the forfeited AFCON encounter against Libya. The Libyans were also fined $50,000 without the option of appeal.

The continent’s administrative and controlling body for football added that the fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification.

The verdict means the Super Eagles have moved closer to qualifying for the AFCON 2025 with 10 points from four matches — four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic.