Nigeria returns from Libya as Algeria and Cameroon qualify for CAN 2025 | Football news

Nigeria’s refusal to play its African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Libya after allegations of “inhumane treatment” of its team and its eventual return to the country has overshadowed Algeria’s qualification and of Cameroon for the 2025 football final phase.

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

“The Nigerian delegation left Al Abraq Airport at exactly 3:05 p.m. (1:05 ​​p.m. GMT), bound for Kano city, and heading to the federal capital, Abuja,” the NFF said in a statement.

The NFF’s communications director, Ademola Olajire, highlighted in a 20-point statement “the team’s ordeal on Libyan soil”, saying that the “highly anticipated match” had been “relegated to a fiasco by the authorities Libyan federations and the Football Federation”.

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

The Super Eagles were due to land in Benghazi, but their plane was diverted to al-Abraq, 230 kilometers from their intended destination.

Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong said his team would not make the three-hour bus journey from al-Abraq to Benina, where the qualifiers were to be played on Tuesday, due to security concerns.

“As captain of the team and team, we have decided NOT to play this match,” he wrote in a series of social media posts.

“Leave them the points.”

Later on Monday, Troost-Ekong confirmed his team’s return to the country, but insisted “no team should be mistreated in this way”.

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

GET HOME 🇳🇬 SAFE AND SOUND.

Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT cannot be broken.
Throw whatever you want at us, it’s in our blood to win. I have seen many things in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that brought us even closer TOGETHER. pic.twitter.com/AwGw4aQW2y

– William Troost-Ekong (MON) (@WRoostEkong) October 14, 2024

Libya denies mistreatment as CAF opens investigation

An official complaint from Nigeria has been made to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), whose disciplinary board is currently investigating the incident.

CAF said it views “in a very serious light the disturbing and unacceptable experiences experienced by the Nigerian national football team at an airport in Libya”.

The press release added that CAF was in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities.

“Appropriate measures will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” the press release concludes.

On Friday, Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo, in the south of the country.

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

The Libyan Football Federation denied any irregularity, saying in a statement it had the “utmost respect” for Nigeria.

“There is no reason to accuse Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident,” he added.

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

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

Libya’s football body said its team “faced significant challenges upon arrival in Nigeria” last week.

Algeria and Cameroon confirm their qualification with victories

Meanwhile, Cameroon and Algeria secured their places for the 2025 competition after recording victories in their respective group matches on Monday.

In Group J, Cameroon substitute Boris Enow beat Kenyan goalkeeper Bryne Omondi with a free kick from outside the box to give the five-time AFCON title holders a 1-0 victory and qualification.

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

Group E saw two-time CAN champions Algeria beat Togo 1-0 in Lomé after Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini converted a penalty in the 18th minute.

Algeria have a maximum of 12 points from four outings and second-placed Equatorial Guinea should join them as Dorian Hanza’s injury-time goal gave his side a 2-1 win over Liberia in Paynesville and an advantage five points on Togo.

Captain Elias “Domingues” Pelembe, who turns 41 in November, opened the scoring for Mozambique in a 3-0 Group I victory over Eswatini. This propelled the Mambas above Mali into first place.

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

Al Jazeera will broadcast live text coverage of the match from 10:00 GMT.