Nigeria return from Libya as Algeria and Cameroon qualify for AFCON 2025 Trending Global News

Nigeria’s refusal to play Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches in Libya after alleged “inhumane treatment” of its squad and eventual repatriation has affected Algeria and Cameroon’s qualifying for the 2025 football finals.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday confirmed that its national team has returned home after their lengthy “ordeal” at a deserted airport in Libya.

“The Nigeria delegation departed Al Abraq Airport at exactly 15.05 [13:05 GMT]Bound for Kano city, and onward to the federal capital, Abuja,” the NFF said in a statement.

The NFF’s communications director, Ademola Olajire, underlined the team’s “ordeal on Libyan soil” in a 20-point statement, saying the “highly anticipated match” had been “presented as a failure by the Libyan federal authorities and the football federation”. Was”.

The Nigerian team was detained for more than 20 hours at an abandoned airport in Libya after their chartered flight landed on Sunday.

The Super Eagles were scheduled to land in Benghazi, but their aircraft were diverted to al-Abraq, 230 km (143 mi) from their intended destination.

Nigeria captain William Truist-Ekong had said the team would not make the three-hour bus journey from Al-Abraq to Benina, where the qualifier was to be played on Tuesday, due to security reasons.

“As team captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game,” he wrote in a series of social media posts.

“Let them score points.”

Later on Monday, Truist-Ekong confirmed his team’s return home, but stressed that “no team should be treated this way”.

“Football is about respect and that starts with respecting yourself,” he wrote.

Return home 🇳🇬 safe and sound.

Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT CAN’T BE BREAKED.
Throw whatever you want at us, overcoming it is in our blood. I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer together. pic.twitter.com/AwGw4aQW2y

– William Troost-Ekong (Mon) (@WTroostEkong) 14 October 2024

Libya denies abuses as CAF launches investigation

A formal complaint by Nigeria has been sent to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), whose disciplinary board is now investigating the incident.

CAF said it takes “very seriously the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigerian national football team at an airport in Libya”.

The statement said CAF is in contact with Libyan and Nigerian authorities.

“Appropriate action will be taken against those who violate CAF statutes and regulations,” the statement concluded.

Nigeria defeated Libya 1-0 in the southern city of Uyo on Friday.

They top Group D with seven points from three matches, while Libya are at the bottom with one point.

The Libyan Football Federation denied any impropriety and said in a statement that it had “the utmost respect” for Nigeria.

“There are no grounds to accuse Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately carrying out this incident,” it added.

“Such actions are inconsistent with our values ​​and principles.

“We strongly reject any claims suggesting foul play or sabotage in this situation.”

The Libyan football body said its team “faced significant challenges upon arriving in Nigeria” last week.

Algeria, Cameroon confirm qualification with wins

Meanwhile, Cameroon and Algeria booked their places at the 2025 competition after winning their respective group matches on Monday.

In Group J, Cameroon substitute Boris Anowu beat Kenya goalkeeper Brian Omondi on a free kick outside the area to give the five-time AFCON title holders a 1–0 win and qualification.

Second-placed Zimbabwe beat Namibia 3-1 to move four points ahead of Kenya in the battle for the other qualifying spot. The rivals will meet in the final round next month.

In Group E, two-time AFCON champions Algeria beat Togo 1-0 in Lomé when Borussia Dortmund defender Remi Bensebaini converted an 18th-minute penalty.

Algeria have a maximum of 12 points from four matches and second-placed Equatorial Guinea are likely to join them as Dorian Hanza’s goal in extra time gave his side a 2-1 win against Liberia in Painesville and five over Togo. Got a lead in points.

Captain Elias “Domingues” Pelembe, who will turn 41 in November, opened the scoring for Mozambique in a 3-0 Group I win over Eswatini. This elevated Mambas to first place above Mali.

Four-time champions Ghana are fighting to stay in the race for qualification and will face Sudan in a crucial Group F match.

Al Jazeera will have live text coverage of the event from 10:00 GMT.