Nigeria will require a level from their closing two suits next month to advance to the 2025 Africa Cup of Countries after continental soccer chiefs awarded them a 3-0 victory over Libya and fined the Libyan federation €46,000 for shambolic organisation within the prelude to a qualifier between the perimeters on 15 October.
The 2023 Cup of Countries runners-up had been attributable to land at Benghazi airport for the Community D bump into within town however the pilot of their plane became as soon as as a alternative steered to walk for Al Abraq Airport in Bayda, some 200km to the east.
After landing, Nigerian avid gamers and participants of their technical group remained within the departures lounge for better than 16 hours before returning to Nigeria and boycotting the game.
Players posted movies on social media of the must haves within the lounge.
Feel sorry about
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) acknowledged it regretted the flight diversion. “It is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks or logistical challenges that affect international air travel,” a spokesperson added.
But the Nigerian federation lodged a criticism for what it known as inhumane medications with the Confederation of African Football, (Caf) which organises the biennial Cup of Countries.
Africa Cup of Countries bosses investigate Nigeria squad’s Libyan airport debacle
Its disciplinary committee ruled that Libya had breached several articles of the Caf code.
“The Libya-Nigeria match is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (with a score of 3-0),” Caf added.
The resolution to award the game to Nigeria extinguishes Libya’s slim hopes of reaching the continent’s most prestigious nationwide team match.
Libya haven’t taken half within the finals since the 2012 competitors in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
