The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have awarded 3 points and three goals to Nigeria after they declared Libya losers on forfeit grounds in the pair’s 2025 AFCON qualifier which wasn't played on October 15. Libya were supposed to host Nigeria on match day 4 of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers at the Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi but the Super Eagles returned home without playing the game citing mistreatment upon arrival in the Northern African country after spending more than 12 hours stranded at the airport. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had since lodged a complaint to CAF which later assigned its disciplinary board. After looking into the matter, the board found Libya guilty of breaching article 31 of the AFCON Regulations which stipulates that a committee formed of the officials of the host association must be at the airport to meet the visiting delegation and must provide all facilities for the entry formalities in the country. The Libyan Football Federation was also charged for breaching article 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. Article 82 specifically indicates that national associations, clubs, officials and members, as well as their players, shall respect the principles of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and ethics. As a result, CAF declared Libya losers of the match by forfeit on a score of 3-0 and slapped them a fine of USD 50,000. The development means Nigeria need a maximum of two points in their final two games to book their place in the continental showpiece which will take place in Morocco later in 2025. Meanwhile, the decision put Libya on the brink of missing out on AFCON qualification, with Benin and Rwanda now finding in a race to finish in the second place which would be enough for a qualification. Libya currently have one point and they will need to beat Rwanda in Kigali and Benin in Benghazi and pray that both countries lose all their games so they can qualify.
