Libya has come under fire again for poor treatment of opponents, with the Benin Republic national team alleging it was attacked by police and fans following their recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Libya.
According to the players and coaching staff, they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse after the crucial encounter, with qualification on the line depending on the result and the score from the other group match between Nigeria and Rwanda.
Libya needed a win to have any chance of qualifying for AFCON, but Benin played out a goalless draw and get the point needed to join the Super Eagles in the roster for Morocco 2025; despite Nigeria losing 2-1 at home to Rwanda.
Eyewitness accounts in Libya state that the altercation began shortly after the final whistle, with frustrated Libyan fans invading the pitch. The situation escalated as some members of the Benin team attempted to leave the stadium, only to be confronted by local authorities.
Benin’s head coach expressed deep disappointment, calling the incident “a disgrace to African football” and urging Confederation of African Football (CAF ) to take immediate action. “We came here to play football, not to be assaulted. This behavior has no place in the sport,” he stated.
Recall that Benin’s outcry comes weeks after Nigeria’s national team was left stranded at an airport for almost 20 hours, before deciding to return to Nigeria without playing the AFCON qualifying match against Libya.
Nigeria was later awarded three points and three goals following a decision by a disciplinary committee of CAF that ruled in favour of the Super Eagles. It remains to be seen if any action will be taken following Benin’s complaint.