October 14, (THEWILL) – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will have to make a determination regarding the boycott of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Nigeria and Libya. The Super Eagles of Nigeria refused to play the scheduled match after enduring more than 15 hours of poor treatment at Al Abraq Airport, where they were stranded without food, drinks, or phone access. The Nigerian team cited concerns over safety and logistical inadequacies, prompting them to pull out of the fixture and raise questions about Libya’s preparedness as a host nation.
CAF now faces several options for resolving the dispute. One possible outcome is to reschedule the match at a neutral venue, a decision that would ensure both teams compete under fair conditions. Rescheduling would, however, require careful planning to find a suitable date that fits both Nigeria’s and Libya’s schedules in the build-up to AFCON 2025. A neutral location would also alleviate concerns about player safety, which was a primary reason for Nigeria’s boycott.
Another potential pathway involves awarding the points to Libya, as Nigeria’s withdrawal could be deemed a forfeit under CAF rules. This would give Libya a much-needed boost in the standings, as they currently sit at the bottom of their group with just one point. If CAF rules in Libya’s favour, Nigeria could lose some ground in the qualification race, despite being group leaders before the boycott.
Beyond the points dispute, CAF could issue sanctions against both nations. Nigeria may face fines or a points deduction for failing to fulfil their fixture, while Libya could be punished for their inability to provide adequate logistical support for the visiting team. Restrictions on Libya’s match attendances or further sanctions could be imposed, given the severity of the conditions the Nigerian team endured upon arrival in the country.
With Nigeria and Libya at opposite ends of the group standings in contention for a place in the 2025 AFCON tournament, the outcome of CAF’s decision is crucial for their respective campaigns. A decision is expected soon as CAF seeks to uphold the integrity of the competition while addressing the concerns raised by both parties.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
