AFCON Qualifiers: CAF slams Libya $50,000 fine, awards maximum points to Super Eagles

By Florence Kalu

Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football has slammed a fine of USD 50,000 on the Libya Football Federation following a tumultuous 20-hour hostage situation at Al-Abraq Airport on the Nigerian Super Eagles.

The CAF committee awarded the Super Eagles the three points and three goals over their culpability in the aborted match for AFCON 2025 qualifying match.

In its ruling on Saturday, concerning the October 15, Benina aborted match, the release signed by its chairman, Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board ruled that the Libya Football Federation was found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

The Libya Football Federation is expected to pay the fine within 60 days of notification of this decision.

The outcome of the Disciplinary Committee means that Nigeria is close to qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

With the decision, the Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda has five points. Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.

Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14th November (a matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December 2025/January 2026.