Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is in high spirits as he celebrates the Confederation of African Football’s ruling on the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier between Libya and Nigeria.
Recall that the Disciplinary Council of the Confederation of African Football awarded Nigeria three points and three goals from the abandoned match on the fourth day of the AFCON 2025 qualifying series, which was to be played between Libya and Nigeria in Benina on October 15 .
In its ruling on Saturday, signed by President Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Council found that the Libyan Football Federation had violated Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“The Libyan Football Federation is considered to have violated article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“Match No. 87, Libya-Nigeria, of the 2025 African Cup of Nations Qualification (scheduled to be played on October 15, 2024 in Benghazi), is declared lost by forfeit for Libya (with a record of 3-0) , “ The ruling is read in part.
The LFF was also ordered to pay a fine of US$50,000, payment of which must be made within 60 days following notification of this decision.
The outcome of the Disciplinary Committee means Nigeria is close to qualifying for the 2025 African Cup of Nations, with two games remaining.
As a result, the Super Eagles now have 10 points from four matches, four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points. Libya, which occupies last place, has only one point and is out of the race for qualification.
A win or draw against the Benin Republic Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday 14 November (matchday five clash) will secure the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025/January 2026 .
The Nigerian team had boycotted the match citing security concerns, after being stranded at the remote Al-Abraq airport on the outskirts of Benghazi for more than 22 hours.
The LFF, in response, accused the Nigerian Football Federation of not cooperating with it regarding the travel itinerary.
He also alleged that the Libyan national team had suffered the same fate in Nigeria during the first leg a week earlier, claiming that the Nigerian authorities left the team stranded at Port Harcourt airport.
Reacting in a post via his verified X.com, @WTroostEkong, on Saturday, the Super Eagles captain said the development means the Super Eagles are one step closer to AFCON 2025.
He wrote, “JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.
“The plane was diverted 300 kilometers from the planned airport, even when the pilot told them it was low on fuel.
“One more step towards our AFCON 2025 goal.”
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