The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee have awarded Nigeria's Super Eagles three points and three goals following the abandonment of their AFCON qualifier against Libya.
The decision effectively secures Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), reinforcing CAF’s stance on ensuring fair play across African football.
After securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo, Nigeria traveled to Libya for the return fixture. However, upon their arrival, the team faced unexpected adversity. The Super Eagles were reportedly left stranded at Al Abraq Airport (300 kilometers from their match destination, Benghazi) for over 16 hours, lacking food, water, and basic assistance.
The team's flight, initially bound for Benghazi, was inexplicably rerouted, causing significant discomfort and a delayed journey.
CAF intervenes over unsportsmanlike conduct
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee later intervened, suspending the game and launching an investigation into the events that led to the match's cancellation. Following their inquiry, CAF ruled in Nigeria’s favor, granting them a 3-0 victory. Additionally, Libya were fined $50,000, with payment due within 60 days.
CAF found the Libyan Football Federation in breach of multiple regulations, including Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. This ruling reflects a broader effort to curb hostile environments for visiting teams in African competitions.
President Patrice Motsepe voiced his disappointment on Monday, addressing the recurring issue of unfair treatment.
“When there was this problem of the Nigerian national team in Libya, I will not comment on that because there is a proper investigation, but I want to emphasise the principle we will not tolerate,” he said.
Motsepe further noted that CAF will adopt stricter measures against teams engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior, reaffirming the federation’s commitment to upholding fair play standards.
