The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has expressed strong disapproval of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following Nigeria’s decision to forgo their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match, originally scheduled for October 15, 2025. In a formal statement, the LFF conveyed its disappointment and underscored its determination to explore all available legal options to protect the Libyan national team’s interests.

The conflict between the two federations emerged when Nigeria, for reasons not immediately disclosed in the LFF’s statement, refused to play the scheduled match. This prompted the LFF to take a defensive stance, accusing Nigeria of not cooperating and referencing the challenging conditions Libya had faced during the first leg of the qualifying round in Nigeria. That match, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, saw Nigeria win, but Libya claimed to have experienced a range of difficulties, which, in their view, were neither addressed nor alleviated by the NFF. Despite these challenges, the Libyan team played the match, demonstrating respect for the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In its statement, the LFF did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the difficulties the team faced but noted that they were significant. The federation shared video footage purportedly showing “inhumane” conditions endured by the Libyan delegation during their stay in Nigeria. These visual records were presented as evidence of the challenges they faced, which they claim should have been mitigated by the host nation. Nevertheless, Libya went ahead with the match, adhering to CAF protocols and demonstrating its commitment to the sport.

The LFF’s frustration extends beyond the most recent developments. It accused the Nigerian football authorities of a persistent “lack of cooperation” regarding both legs of the qualifying tie. According to the LFF, these difficulties were not limited to one instance but were part of an ongoing issue, hinting at broader problems in the relationship between the two federations. The Libyan side believes that Nigeria has consistently failed to assist in resolving logistical and other match-related issues, exacerbating tensions between the two teams.

In addition to highlighting the immediate consequences of Nigeria’s refusal to play the return leg, the LFF expressed regret for the disruption caused to its fans and stakeholders. The delay of the match, attributed solely to the NFF’s actions, prompted the Libyan Federation to issue an apology to its supporters. This apology reflects the federation’s acknowledgment of the broader impact of the situation on the football community in Libya, who had been looking forward to the highly anticipated clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Despite the setbacks, Libya’s national team remains committed to preparing for the match, even as uncertainty looms over its rescheduling or cancellation. On Monday, the Libyan players participated in a training session, displaying their determination and readiness to compete, irrespective of the off-field challenges. This dedication underscores the team’s focus on their broader objectives in the AFCON qualifying campaign, showing that they are undeterred by the ongoing dispute with Nigeria.

The LFF’s decision to seek legal recourse suggests that this issue may not be resolved quickly. Legal avenues in international sports disputes often involve lengthy processes, especially when the case is taken to governing bodies like the CAF or even the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The LFF’s strong stance indicates that they intend to pursue all necessary measures to ensure that the interests of their team are upheld, and they may be looking to establish a precedent that could deter other teams from similar actions in the future.

The controversy surrounding this qualifying match adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging AFCON qualifying rounds. For Libya, which has faced numerous struggles both on and off the pitch in recent years due to political instability and security concerns, this match represented an important opportunity to assert their standing in African football. The loss of this opportunity, coupled with the perceived disrespect from their Nigerian counterparts, has heightened their sense of grievance.

The NFF, for its part, has yet to issue a detailed response to the LFF’s accusations. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how CAF will intervene, if at all, and whether the match will be rescheduled or awarded to Libya by default due to Nigeria’s refusal to play. In the world of international football, such disputes are not uncommon, but they often have far-reaching implications for both the teams involved and the broader competition. The outcome of this dispute will likely have an impact not just on the qualifying rounds, but also on the relationship between the two footballing nations moving forward.