By Adedapo Adesanya
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), which governs football on the continent, has found the Libyan Football Federation guilty of sabotaging the Nigerian male football team in the suspended African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers 2025 game.
Recall that on October 15, the Nigerian team were held hostage in Libya when their plane landed in the North African country in the second leg of the earlier tie which ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.
However, upon getting to the Libyan capital, Benghazi, they were transported to another city and were denied hospitality, leading to the Nigerian players to voice out concerns and abandon the football game.
CAF, in a resolution on Saturday, said Libya breached Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code and awarded Nigeria a 3-0 win, confirming the country’s qualification to the tournament holding in Morocco next year.
“The match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0),” a press release said on Saturday.
It also slammed a $50,000 fine on the Libya Football Federation to be paid within the next 60 days or risk suspension.
“The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.
“All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” CAF added.
Dipo Olowookere