On Saturday, the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reached a decision regarding the controversial Matchday 4 qualification game for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), officially awarding Nigeria three points and three goals. This ruling follows an investigation into irregularities that had significant impacts on the match’s outcome, ultimately leading to the match’s nullification.
The CAF Disciplinary Board emphasized that this decision was necessary to maintain the integrity of the AFCON tournament and to ensure that fair play is upheld throughout the qualification process. The ruling is intended as a clear message that any breaches of protocol or misconduct will be met with decisive action.
As a result of the decision, Nigeria’s position in the qualification standings has been strengthened, significantly increasing their chances of advancing to the prestigious AFCON 2025 tournament. This adjustment in points and goals is particularly impactful given the current competitive landscape and the scrutiny surrounding the match’s conditions.
Originally scheduled to take place in Libya on 15 October, the game’s nullification stemmed from issues that CAF found in breach of its codes and regulations. The ruling was signed by Ousmane Kane, the Chairman of the CAF Disciplinary Board, who cited the Libya Football Federation’s violation of Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations in addition to Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
According to the ruling, Libya has forfeited Match No. 87, which was set to be played against Nigeria in Benghazi. The forfeiture officially grants Nigeria three goals and three points as part of the board’s final judgment, solidifying Nigeria’s position in the AFCON 2025 qualification standings.