The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to announce its decision on the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying Group D match between Libya and Nigeria this Wednesday. The match, which was originally scheduled to take place at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi on October 15, was eventually canceled, leading to confusion and tension between the two football federations.
The first leg of the match had taken place in Nigeria, where the Super Eagles secured a narrow 1-0 victory. However, it was the events surrounding the second leg in Libya that have caused the most controversy and are now under CAF’s scrutiny. According to reports from Libya Al-Ahrar Channel, CAF will issue a ruling based on the issues faced by both teams, particularly the Nigerian squad during their trip to Libya.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has already submitted a series of documents to CAF, defending its position and providing details about the situation. In response, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has also lodged an official complaint regarding their team’s ordeal while in Libya, highlighting several challenges that the Super Eagles faced during their stay.
One of the most significant points of contention was the Nigerian delegation’s difficult journey to the match venue. The Nigerian team’s flight, which was initially scheduled to land in Benghazi for the match, was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq Airport. This airport is located approximately three hours by road from Benghazi, which forced the Nigerian team to undertake a long and uncomfortable road journey.
What made matters worse was that, upon arrival, the Nigerian team was subjected to harsh conditions. They were reportedly held captive for at least 17 hours without access to basic necessities such as food, water, or even the Internet. This prolonged ordeal left the team stranded and severely impacted their preparation for the match. Unable to continue under these circumstances, the Nigerian team eventually flew back to their home country without playing the match.
The NFF’s complaint to CAF emphasized the severity of these conditions and expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of cooperation from their Libyan counterparts. According to the Nigerian federation, the treatment they received while in Libya was unacceptable, and they believe that the Libyan federation did not take the necessary steps to ensure the match could go ahead in a fair and organized manner.
On the other hand, the Libyan Football Federation has defended its handling of the situation, stating that the Nigerian delegation failed to cooperate at key moments. The LFF has claimed that it made efforts to ensure the match could proceed smoothly, but that these efforts were hampered by the Nigerian team’s alleged lack of willingness to collaborate, both in the first and second leg of the fixture.
The upcoming ruling from CAF is expected to address several key issues related to the debacle, including the treatment of the Nigerian team, the logistical challenges faced by both teams, and whether the match should be rescheduled or if further sanctions will be imposed on either side.
As the two federations await the decision, the stakes are high, with both teams vying for qualification to the 2025 AFCON tournament. For Nigeria, the 1-0 victory in the first leg remains a crucial advantage, but the unresolved nature of the second leg leaves the future of their qualification bid uncertain. Libya, on the other hand, is looking to capitalize on the situation and potentially gain a more favorable outcome through CAF’s intervention.
This situation highlights the broader challenges that can arise in international football, where logistics, diplomacy, and coordination between countries are as important as what happens on the pitch. The difficulties faced by the Nigerian team during their trip to Libya serve as a reminder of the potential complications that can emerge, particularly in regions where infrastructure and resources may not always align with the expectations of visiting teams.
CAF’s decision on the matter will not only impact the qualification campaign for the 2025 AFCON but could also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future. The ruling could involve anything from a replay of the match under new conditions, sanctions against one or both teams, or even awarding points based on the available evidence.
In the meantime, both the Libyan and Nigerian federations continue to assert their positions, with each side claiming they followed the necessary protocols. The football community across Africa is closely watching how CAF will address these grievances and bring resolution to a situation that has escalated beyond the confines of the football field.
With the announcement imminent, the football world will soon know what consequences, if any, await both Libya and Nigeria.
