Benin National Team Captain Slams Libya’s Treatment During Qualifying Match
After securing their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as runners-up in Group D, Benin national team captain Steve Mounie described their experience in Libya as akin to being in a war zone. The team achieved a 0-0 draw in Tripoli, which propelled them to qualification thanks to a superior goal difference over Rwanda.
However, the team’s celebration was marred by chaotic scenes. Libyans fans reportedly pelted objects at the players inside the Tripoli National Stadium, and security personnel allegedly targeted the team’s bus as they left the stadium, resulting in injuries to coach Gernot Rohr and several players.
Mounie expressed his team’s frustration, saying in an interview with ORTB, “It was a tough environment. The Libyan team and their supporters showed us no respect during the match, even during our national anthem. That made it personal for us. We were determined to qualify, and despite the challenges, we achieved it.” He added that the experience was a testament to his team’s talent and their ability to overcome adversity.
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. Nigeria’s Super Eagles faced similar issues during their visit to Libya, highlighting concerns about the treatment of visiting teams. The Benin national team’s experience serves as a reminder of the need for improvement in the way teams are handled.
According to Rohr, speaking to Canal+, the team was left stranded for nearly 10 hours due to complications with overflight permits, despite arrangements made for their travel. He emphasized the physical and emotional toll these challenges took on him and his staff, highlighting the need for better handling of visiting teams.
This is not the first time Libya has faced scrutiny for its treatment of visiting teams. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently imposed sanctions on Libya for holding Nigeria’s Super Eagles for 20 hours, including awarding Nigeria three points and three goals, as well as fining Libya $50,000.
