Confederation of African Football, CAF, have awarded three points and three goals to Nigeria over the canceled AFCON fixture against Libya, MySportDab reports.
The African football umpire took the decision after insisting Libya have breached CAF provisions following their handling of Nigeria’s football delegation during the latter’s travel to the country for the match.
A statement from the effect of the penalty confirmed CAF Disciplinary Board have met and deliberated on the issue and have found the North African country guilty of Nigeria’s allegations.
The statement confirmed Nigeria have been awarded three points and three goals with Libya declared to have lost the game.
They have also been slammed with a fine of £50,000 and further motions to the effect of the punishment summarily dismissed.
The full statement, as culled from CAF website, reads thus:
“The CAF Disciplinary Board met to deliberate on the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifier that was scheduled between Libya and Nigeria.
“The Disciplinary Board decided as follows;
“Libya Football Federation was found to have breached Article 31 of the TotalEnergies CAF 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 TotalEnergies 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).
“The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000. 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.” (Source: Cafonline.com)
Libya reportedly diverted Nigeria’s flight to the country to honor the fixture. Nigeria’s delegation were expected to land in Benghazi where the match was to be played before they were taken to an abandoned Airport at Al ABraq at the orders of the Libyan government.
On landing at Al ABraq, the team were denied a good sleeping space, water, food, and internet connection for hours. They were reportedly forced to sleep on the plane with no adequate plans for their transportation to the match venue.
After hours of tense moments and protests, they decided not to play the match and traveled back to Nigeria.
The three points awarded means Nigeria have now gone top of Group D with 7 points from three matches.
It is yet unclear whether Libyan Football Federico will appeal the decision but as things stand Nigeria have won the case on CAF’s court.
