Nigeria’s decision to withdraw from an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Libya on Tuesday after alleging “inhumane treatment” has overshadowed Algeria and Cameroon’s qualification for the 2025 tournament.
The controversy arose after the Nigerian squad found themselves stranded at an airport 225 kilometers from Benghazi, the match venue, for nearly 13 hours.
Forward Victor Boniface described the situation as “scary” on social media, noting the absence of food, Wi-Fi, and adequate rest facilities. “We have been stuck at the airport for almost 13 hours with no food, Wi-Fi or place to sleep. Africa, we can do better,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). This situation prompted the team to return to Nigeria on Monday, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirming the withdrawal.
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba, who was present in North Africa with the Nigerian team, expressed outrage, suggesting that Libya should face a ban from international football if CAF were to fulfill its regulatory duties.
The initial fixture had seen Nigeria secure a 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo last Friday, setting up the now-abandoned return match in Benghazi.
In response to the accusations, the Libyan Football Federation issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. “We reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” read the statement, emphasizing that such accusations contradict the values and principles of the federation. Libya’s football authorities also highlighted difficulties encountered by their own team upon arrival in Nigeria the previous week.
CAF released a statement indicating that it had communicated with both Libyan and Nigerian officials regarding the incident and referred the matter to its disciplinary board for investigation. The governing body assured that “appropriate action will be taken against those who violated CAF statutes and regulations.”
Despite the diplomatic tension, other matches in the qualifying rounds proceeded as scheduled. In Group J, five-time AFCON champions Cameroon secured a 1-0 victory against Kenya, with substitute Boris Enow scoring from a free-kick.
The win ensured Cameroon’s qualification for the 2025 finals. Kenya, who had to relocate their home fixture to Uganda due to stadium renovations in Nairobi, suffered consecutive losses, including a 4-1 defeat in Yaounde.
Elsewhere in Group J, Zimbabwe boosted their chances of qualification by defeating Namibia 3-1, securing a four-point lead over Kenya. Both teams are set to face each other in the penultimate round next month.
Algeria, the two-time AFCON champions, also booked their ticket to the finals with a 1-0 win over Togo in Group E, thanks to Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini’s 18th-minute penalty. Algeria leads the group with 12 points, while Equatorial Guinea is poised to join them after securing a dramatic 2-1 victory against Liberia.
Meanwhile, in Group I, Mozambique climbed to the top spot after defeating Eswatini 3-0, with veteran captain Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe opening the scoring. However, Mali is still in contention and will clinch qualification with a victory over Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.
The unfolding developments in AFCON qualifying have underscored the persistent logistical and organizational challenges facing African football, despite efforts to raise standards across the continent.
