The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially removed the second-leg fixture between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights from the schedule of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The match, which was supposed to take place in Libya on Tuesday, October 15, has been dropped amidst a growing controversy surrounding the treatment of the Nigerian team upon their arrival in Libya.
CAF published an updated match fixture on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday. Notably absent from the list was the highly anticipated Group D qualifier between Nigeria and Libya.
The game had been scheduled to kick off at 8 pm on Tuesday, following the first leg that took place on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. In that match, the Super Eagles secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Libya, with a last-minute goal that set the stage for what was expected to be a thrilling return leg.
However, controversy erupted when the Nigerian team, including players and officials, revealed that they had faced harsh conditions at the Libyan airport, forcing them to abandon the trip and return home.
The drama began when the Super Eagles arrived in Libya for their scheduled second-leg clash. According to reports, the team was subjected to an incredibly frustrating 14-hour ordeal at the airport.
Nigerian players and officials detailed their experience, describing how they were held for hours without adequate information or assistance. Some players complained of poor treatment and lack of proper facilities during their stay at the airport.
“It was a terrible experience,” said one Super Eagles official who wished to remain anonymous. “We were kept at the airport for over 14 hours, with no clear reason for the delay. The players were uncomfortable, and there was no access to food or proper rest.”
The Nigerian delegation also reported that their luggage and equipment were mishandled during their time at the airport. The situation became so unbearable that the team ultimately decided to return to Nigeria, abandoning their plans to proceed with the match.
As the situation unfolded, the pilot of the Super Eagles’ chartered flight explained that Libyan authorities had diverted the team’s plane at the last minute, contributing to the confusion and delay.
“The flight was diverted without any prior notice,” the pilot explained in an interview. “This added to the logistical challenges, and it became clear that the conditions were not conducive for the team to continue with the match as planned.”
It remains unclear why the Libyan authorities took such drastic actions, but the Super Eagles’ 14-hour airport nightmare has now escalated into a diplomatic issue.
As tensions mounted, CAF made the decision to delist the Nigeria vs. Libya match from the official AFCON 2025 qualifier schedule. The organization’s updated fixture list, shared online, omitted the game entirely, leaving fans and football analysts puzzled about the future of the fixture.
Although CAF has yet to release an official statement explaining its decision to remove the game, it is widely believed that the controversy surrounding Nigeria’s treatment in Libya played a key role in the move. The delisting has raised questions about the fairness and safety of hosting international football matches in volatile regions.
The controversy comes just days after Nigeria’s hard-fought victory over Libya in the first leg of the AFCON 2025 qualifier. The match, held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, saw the Super Eagles claim a narrow 1-0 win over the Mediterranean Knights.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Nigeria was only able to break through in the final minutes of the match. The decisive goal was scored by forward Victor Osimhen, who capitalized on a defensive error by Libya to secure the win.
Speaking after the first leg, Super Eagles coach José Peseiro expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance but warned that the job was far from over. “We had a strong performance today, but the second leg in Libya will be a real test. We need to stay focused and prepare for a tough challenge.”
Unfortunately, the second leg will now remain in limbo, with no clear indication of when or if the match will be rescheduled.
The cancellation of the second leg of the Nigeria-Libya fixture has left both teams in a state of uncertainty regarding their standings in the AFCON 2025 qualification process. Nigeria currently leads the group with the advantage of their 1-0 win in the first leg, but the absence of a return match could affect the overall outcome of Group D.
Libya, who were counting on home advantage in the second leg, now face an uphill battle if the match is not rescheduled. Nigerian fans, on the other hand, are eager to see their team progress to the next stage of the tournament, but the controversy may leave their qualification status hanging in the balance.
CAF is expected to release further information regarding the match and its implications for AFCON qualification in the coming days. However, the lack of clear communication from the football body has frustrated many fans and stakeholders who are eagerly awaiting an official resolution.
