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Nigeria awarded game, Libya fined after AFCON qualifying airport incident

Nigeria were awarded the victory after they lost their game against Libya earlier this month because they were stranded at an airport in the North African country.

Nigeria refused to take part in its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match earlier this month after claiming that its plane was diverted upon arrival in Libya without access to food, drink or telephone connection in order to play mind games before the game to play.

The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), the governing body for football in Africa, vowed to investigate the matter and take “appropriate action” and has now awarded the game to Nigeria with a 3-0 scoreline.

The association also fined the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) $50,000 (£38,577). The LFF previously rejected any suggestion of “foul play or sabotage”.

A CAF statement on Saturday said: “The LFF was found to have violated Article 31 of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The Libya-Nigeria match of the TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to take place on October 15) is declared lost by Libya (with a score of 3-0).

“The LFF is ordered to pay a fine of $50,000 (£38,577). The fine must be paid within 60 days of notification of this decision. All other and further applications or requests for relief have been dismissed.”

Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations states that a committee must be present at the airport to meet each visiting delegation, provide facilitation for entry into the country, provide a liaison officer for the delegation between the two associations and ensure transportation for the visiting delegation.

CAF also ruled that Libya had failed to comply with a rule that said: “National associations, clubs, officials and members, as well as their players, must respect the rules.”
“Principles of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and ethics” as well as compliance with and implementation of existing security rules and ensuring the safety of players and officials of the visiting team during their stay.

Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong claimed the crew were denied access to a hotel and had to beg the Nigerian government to rescue them, describing the situation as “disgraceful”.

In response to the CAF decision, Troost-Ekong posted “Justice.” “We are one step closer to our goal of AFCON 2025,” he added.

The LFF previously stated that it “strongly rejects any allegations suggesting wrongdoing or sabotage in this situation.”

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Nigeria announces it will lose AFCON qualification after being stuck at the Libyan airport for 12 hours

(Photo: @WTroostEkong on X)

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