After the Confederation of African Football delivered its verdict regarding the Nigeria Football Federation’s complaint about the Super Eagles’ recent treatment in Libya, reports emerged from the Nigerian community in Libya of widespread arrests and fines.
The Nigerian football team had been detained for over 20 hours at Al-Abraq Airport in eastern Libya upon arrival for the second leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya’s national team. Initially, they were scheduled to land at Benghazi Airport and then undertake a nearly four-hour road journey to Benina, the match venue.
However, less than an hour before landing, the Tunisian pilot reportedly received a directive from Libyan authorities to divert the flight to Al-Abraq Airport, which is situated 150 miles away from the intended destination.
This situation prompted significant outrage, leading the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw the Super Eagles from the qualifying match and file an official complaint with CAF.
In its ruling on Saturday, October 26, signed by Chairman Ousmane Kane, the disciplinary committee of the African football governing body awarded the Super Eagles three points and three goals for the abandoned match. The committee determined that the Libyan Football Federation violated Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
