Super Eagles Awarded Victory After CAF Ruling on Abandoned AFCON Qualifier Against Libya
In a landmark decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee has awarded Nigeria’s Super Eagles a 3-0 victory in their abandoned Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
The match, originally slated for October 15, 2024, in Benina, was called off due to a series of logistical and security issues. CAF’s ruling now edges Nigeria closer to securing a place in the 2025 AFCON finals, set to be hosted in Morocco.
Signed by Disciplinary Committee Chairman Ousmane Kane, CAF’s ruling cited Libya’s violation of key articles in both the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and the CAF Disciplinary Code. The committee found the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) in breach of Article 31 of the AFCON regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of CAF’s Disciplinary Code, leading to a forfeiture of the match to Nigeria by a default score of 3-0.
The ruling not only awarded Nigeria three points but also imposed a $50,000 fine on the LFF, with payment required within 60 days of the decision. CAF’s firm stance highlights its commitment to ensuring fair competition and compliance across all matches.
The controversy began when the Super Eagles faced unexpected logistical issues upon their arrival in Libya. The team was stranded for over 22 hours at Al-Abraq Airport on the outskirts of Benghazi, citing serious safety and security concerns as a reason to boycott the match. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) expressed frustration over what it deemed poor organization and inadequate support from the LFF to facilitate the team’s smooth transit to Benina.
In response, the LFF defended its position, alleging that the NFF did not cooperate adequately regarding travel arrangements. Furthermore, the LFF claimed that the Libyan national team had faced similar treatment during the reverse fixture in Nigeria, where they were allegedly left stranded at Port Harcourt Airport.
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With the ruling now in their favor, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are on the brink of qualification for the 2025 AFCON finals. Currently, the Super Eagles lead their qualifying group with 10 points from four matches, putting them four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda follows with five points. Libya, with just one point, is effectively out of the qualification race.
The Super Eagles have two remaining matches in their qualifying campaign, with their next challenge against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic scheduled for November 14, 2024, in Abidjan. A win or even a draw in this encounter would secure Nigeria’s spot in the AFCON finals, giving them ample time to prepare for the prestigious tournament in Morocco, slated for December 2025 through January 2026.
This decision by CAF underscores the organization’s commitment to maintaining fair play and accountability within African football. The ruling not only impacts the immediate qualification standings but also sets a precedent for handling logistical and safety issues that affect the integrity of matches.
CAF’s disciplinary measures serve as a reminder to all participating football federations of their responsibilities, both in providing safe environments for visiting teams and in adhering to tournament guidelines. By taking swift and decisive action, CAF aims to uphold the standards of AFCON and ensure a fair playing field for all.
The Super Eagles’ awarded victory in this abandoned match highlights both the challenges and triumphs of international sports competitions. For Nigeria, the path to Morocco has been anything but straightforward, yet the team remains resilient in the face of unexpected challenges. With one more positive result, the Super Eagles can secure their place in the tournament and focus on the ultimate prize: winning the AFCON title.
As the November 14 match against Benin approaches, all eyes will be on Nigeria to see if they can seal their qualification and carry forward the momentum into the tournament. This incident also serves as a crucial lesson for African football federations to prioritize logistical organization and safety protocols to ensure that future matches are held without such disruptions.