Nigeria’s scheduled Africa Cup of Nations qualifier earlier this month ended in a 3-0 victory over Libya and three crucial points as they declined to participate because they were stranded in a remote Libyan airport for half a day prior to the game.
Nigeria won the match 3-0 on Saturday, putting them in a strong position to go to the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) championships next year, as they lead Group D.
With two games remaining, the three points moved Nigeria to 10 points, four clear of Benin in second position and five ahead of Rwanda. Libya is in last place with just one point after four games.
Nigeria, the top two teams in the group, refused to play a match in Benghazi on October 15 due to mistreatment upon arrival. The Libya Football Federation (CAF) found Libya in breach of competition rules, stating that visiting teams must be properly received by the host association.
CAF awarded Nigeria the match with a 3-0 scoreline and fined $50,000. Libya had previously complained about the treatment of their players and officials on arrival in Nigeria for their qualifier in Uyo on October 11, but their treatment ahead of the scheduled return game was seen as a tit-for-tat measure and widely condemned across Africa.
The CAF is looking at tightening rules and regulations to deter bad treatment of visiting teams, as African football is notorious for poor treatment of visiting sides in both national team and club competitions.
