The Libyan Football Federation has lodged an appeal against a recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that awarded Nigeria three points and a 3-0 victory in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier originally scheduled for October 15 in Benina, Libya.
The appeal comes alongside a $50,000 fine imposed on Libya for violations related to the Nigerian team’s arrival and conditions.
- Libya has engaged Tunisian lawyer Ali Abbas to contest the CAF ruling, which they have described as “unfair.”
- This appeal follows a complaint from the Nigerian Football Federation, leading CAF’s disciplinary committee to investigate after the Super Eagles experienced a reported 20-hour ordeal, including a diverted flight and a lengthy wait at Labraq Airport, which is 300 kilometers from Benghazi.
- The Nigerian delegation faced inadequate facilities, including a lack of food and water, ultimately resulting in their decision to abandon the match and return home.
- The disciplinary committee, led by Ousmane Kane, ruled in favor of Nigeria, citing violations of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, leading to Libya’s forfeiture of the match.
If this ruling is upheld, Nigeria will be well-positioned for qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, while Libya would find itself out of contention, holding only one point in Group D. This outcome could significantly impact the dynamics of the group and the chances of both teams in the tournament.
