Afcon 2025: Libya set to take the search for ‘justice’ to CAS after being fined and losing points to Nigeria

 Libyan Football Federation president Nasser Al-Suwai’i has strongly kicked against the CAF’s verdict of a $50,000 fine and forfeiture of three points and three goals to Nigeria over the delisted 2025 AFCON qualifying Group D fixture scheduled for October 15 in Benina.

According to Monday’s report on Libyan outlet, Libyan Observer, Al-Suwai’i described the ruling as “unjust and malicious,” alleging that the Nigeria Football Federation’s influence within CAF played a major role in the outcome.

Libyan Football Federation was given 60 days to pay the fine after being found guilty of violating Article 31 of the 2019 African Cup of Nations regulations of the Confederation of African Football as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the Confederation’s Disciplinary Code by first diverting the Benghazi-bound Nigeria’s flight to Al-Abraq International Airport, where the Super Eagles players and crew were held hostage by Libyan authorities for 18 hours without food and water.

Al-Suwai’i confirmed that the LFF would file an official appeal within hours, calling the sanctions unacceptable and further indicating that if the appeal is denied, the LFF would resort to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to ensure “their legitimate rights are secured.”

Meanwhile, Libyan News Agency also reported on Monday that the Libya FA is celebrating CAF’s lifting of the ban on the national team playing their next home matches on away soil, a punitive measure not mentioned in the ruling.

The decision came after the intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Libyan government, Abdel Hadi Al-Huwaij.

The verdict leaves Nigeria on the brink of qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco as they maintain the pole position with 10 points, three adrift of Benin Republic in second place, with two rounds of matches left in the series. Libya remained rock bottom with one point and was ruled out of contention for the group’s two tickets.

Afcon 2025: Super Eagles to play Rwanda in a qualifying match on November 18

The Confederation of African Football has picked Monday, November 18 for Nigeria’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda, scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

The Matchday 6 encounter will draw the curtain on the race from Group D for slots at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held in Morocco in December 2025/January 2026.

CAF has also appointed Moroccan match officials for the game, with Samir Guezzaz in the role of referee at the encounter that will commence at 5 pm Nigeria time. His compatriots Zakaria Brinsi, Abdessamad Abertoune and Kech Chaf Mustapha will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana will be the commissioner while Somalian Ali Mohamed Ahmed will be in the role of referee assessor.

For the Matchday 5 clash with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday, 14th November, that will commence at 7 pm CIV time (8 pm Nigeria time), CAF has appointed officials from Senegal to superintend, with Issa Sy to be referee.

His compatriots Djibril Camara, Nouha Bangoura and El Hadji Amadou Sy will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Ivorian Rene Williams Sere will be the commissioner while Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido will be the referee assessor.