The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has officially requested that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reconsider the penalties enforced on Libya following disruptions to the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria. CAF had ruled in favor of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, awarding them a 3-0 win and imposing a $50,000 fine on Libya. This decision stemmed from Libya’s alleged logistical and organizational shortcomings, which reportedly led to significant delays and complications for the Nigerian team before the scheduled match in Benghazi. Nigeria’s Super Eagles endured numerous obstacles, including flight issues and delays of over 18 hours, before CAF ultimately called off the game. This decision places Libya at the bottom of Group D in the qualifiers, which could heavily affect their chances of advancing. CAF’s Disciplinary Board, led by Ousmane Kane, concluded that the LFF had violated both AFCON rules and CAF’s disciplinary guidelines. The LFF has since enlisted Tunisian lawyer Ali Abbas to advocate on its behalf, arguing that the sanctions are disproportionately harsh. The appeal’s outcome may influence the qualification paths for both Libya and Nigeria, as Nigeria now needs just one more point to secure its spot in the 2025 AFCON set to take place in Morocco.
