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BREAKING: CAF Awards Three Points, Three Goals To Nigeria, Fines Libya $50,000 Over Missed Game

On Saturday, October 26, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, awarded three points and three goals to the Super Eagles following the botched 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

The Super Eagles consolidated their top position in the group following the verdict.

The Nigerian side now have 10 points from four matches, four points clear of nearest rivals Benin.

Libya remain bottom of the group with one point.

A draw with Benin in Abidjan next month will qualify the Super Eagles for the 2025 AFCON to be hosted by Morocco in December 2025.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also fined the Libya Football Federation $50,000.

The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the decision.

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AFCON Qualifiers: Troost-Ekong Celebrates As CAF Awards Victory To Nigeria, Fines Libya

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, is in high spirits as he celebrates the ruling by the Confederation of African Football regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Libya and Nigeria.

Recall that the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football awarded Nigeria three points and three goals from the abandoned Matchday 4 encounter in the 2025 AFCON qualification series, scheduled to be played between Libya and Nigeria in Benina on 15 October.

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 LFF was also ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000, with payment due within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

The outcome of the Disciplinary Committee means that Nigeria is close to qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

As a result, the Super Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda has five points. Bottom-placed Libya has only one point and is out of the running for qualification.

A win or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14 November (a matchday 5 encounter) will secure the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025/January 2026.

The Nigerian team had boycotted the match citing safety concerns, after being left stranded at the remote Al-Abraq airport on the outskirts of Benghazi for over 22 hours.

The LFF, in response, accused the Nigeria Football Federation of not cooperating with it regarding the travel itinerary.

It also alleged that the Libyan national team had suffered the same fate in Nigeria during the reverse fixture a week earlier, claiming the team was left stranded at Port Harcourt Airport by Nigerian authorities.

Reacting in a post via his verified X.com, @WTroostEkong, on Saturday, the Super Eagles skipper said the development means the Super Eagles are one step closer to the AFCON 2025.

He wrote, “JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“The plane was diverted 300km from the scheduled airport, even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025.”

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AFCONQ: CAF Postpones Libya vs Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football, CAF has announced the postponement of Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifier between Libya and Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Tuesday.
The game was slated to be played this evening in Libya.
In an official statement, CAF indicated that the fixture would not proceed as planned.
The football body did not, however, provide specific reasons for the postponement.
CAFF will now take the matter to the appropriate bodies for further consideration.
The statement added, “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifier fixture between Libya and Nigeria will not take place as scheduled tonight,” the short statement reads.
“The matter will be referred to the competent CAF bodies.”
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Super Eagles Arrive Nigeria After Ordeal In Libya

The Nigerian Super Eagles have arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State, after their harrowing ordeal in Libya ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The players and Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, officials were stranded for over 13 hours at Al Abraq airport in Libya ahead of the game which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, October 15, in Benghazi.

They arrived in Libya on Sunday but their flight was diverted to an airport which is two hours from their destination. They were also not allowed to leave the airport and they had no access to necessities like food, water, or a place to rest.

Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral, prompting condemnation from Nigerian authorities and football fans.

Following the ordeal, they vowed not to play in Libya and they later revealed that their plane was being fueled so they could return to Nigeria.

They have now arrived in Nigeria.

Super Eagles Captain,  William Troost-Ekong and goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali took to their Instagram pages to confirm their arrival.

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CAF Issues Statement On Treatment Of Super Eagles In Libya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a statement concerning the ill-treatment of Nigerians in Libya.
CAF frowned at the development and has now referred the case to its disciplinary board.
See statement below:
 
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.
 
The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
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AFCON: Eguavoen Recounts ‘Traumatic Experience’ at Libya Airport

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen has described his team’s ordeal in Libya as traumatic.
According to him, they went through a “horrible ordeal” in Libya.
The Nigerian contingent were held hostage at an abandoned airport, more than two hours drive from the venue of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.
The team was denied access to water and food.
The Super Eagles later pulled out of the game and returned to Nigeria on Monday evening.
“Thanks to the Libyans for letting us go, but it was a horrible 18-20 hours of experience and we don’t want to go through that again,” said Eguavoen on arrival in Nigeria Monday.
 
“We were held hostage, we could not have played this match under these circumstances.
 
“We know how football can unite the entire world, but in this regard, for them to act like this, I cannot comprehend seriously.”
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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: CAF Forcing Super Eagles to Play Against Libya – Sports Minister

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has given an update concerning Nigeria’s match against Libya after the Super Eagles were held hostage in the country.
Reacting, Enoh claimed that the Confederation of African Football, CAF, are “insisting” that Nigeria play Libya on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles players have said they will boycott the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, after they were held hostage at the Al Abraq Airport over 15 hours after arrival in Libya.
But in a post on X, Enoh revealed that he has spoken to CAF president, Patrice Motsepe and the Secretary-General, Mosengo Omba.
He tweeted: “This morning, I was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General.
 
“While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team to participate in tomorrow’s match.
 
“I have instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first,the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.
 
“There must be a serious adverse consequence to the Libyan football federation for this unspeakable behaviour.
 
“This can not be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation.”
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AFCON 2025: Libya Sent Isakaba Bus to Pick Super Eagles – Victor Boniface

Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface has taken to Twitter to share a clip of the bus Libyan authorities brought to pick up the Super Eagles from the Al Abaq Airport.
He described the bus as “Isakaba bus”, sent to pick the Super Eagles from the airport.
However, the team refused to board the bus.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been stranded at the airport for over 13 hours after landing in Libya.
Libyan authorities had diverted the chartered ValueJet aircraft carrying the Super Eagles to a small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport on Sunday night.
The Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the Nigerian team from the airport to their hotel, which is said to be three hours away in Benghazi.
But, posting the video of the bus on X, Boniface wrote: “See Iskaba bus wey them bring come yesterday. Nobody enter ooo.”
 
The Super Eagles are scheduled to play Libya on Tuesday, following their 1-0 win in the first leg on Friday in the African Nations Cup, AFCON, qualifiers.
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AFCON Qualifiers: Libya vs Nigeria – Date, Time And Where To Watch 2nd Leg Fixture

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are getting ready for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

Nigeria enters the clash in strong form, remaining undefeated in their first three group matches.

They started their campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, followed by a goalless draw away to the Amavubi of Rwanda.
In their most recent fixture, the Super Eagles edged out Libya with a 1-0 win, securing their top position in Group D.

Libya, however, faces a more difficult path. The Mediterranean Knights currently sit at the bottom of Group D, having managed only one point from three games.

After a 1-1 draw at home against Rwanda in their opening match, they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Benin Republic and another 1-0 loss to Nigeria.

Despite their struggles, Libya will be aiming to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming match against Nigeria.

The second leg presents an opportunity for them to seek revenge and improve their standings in the group.

Libya vs Nigeria: Time, date and where to watch

The match, set to take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, will kick off at 8 PM local time. Fans can watch it live on AfroSport TV.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Nwabali Trolls Libya Over Time-Wasting Antics

Stanley Nwabali, the Super Eagles goalkeeper, has trolled the Mediterranean Knights of Libya for their time-wasting antics.

Nasser Al-Hadiri’s side frustrated the Super Eagles by feigning fouls on different occasions during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Friday.

Nigeria won the game 1-0 with Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru netting the decisive goal four minutes from time.

Commenting on the time wasting tactics used by the Libyans, Nwabali wrote in pidgin with a laughing emoji on his X handle: “Who come wise pass?” This translates to mean, ‘Who is the wiser person now?’, referring to how the Libyans tried to play smart by wasting time.

Libya will host the Super Eagles in a matchday four encounter in Benina next week Tuesday.

A win in the game will see the Super Eagles seal a place at the AFCON 2025 finals which will be hosted by Morocco.