Crisis hits Libyan football suffers new internal setback after AFCON 2025Q fails

The Mediterranean Knights of Libya failed to qualify for AFCON 2025 despite their late efforts.
The Libyan national team won a decisive away victory over Rwanda, but could not beat the Benin Republic.
The country’s football, which has been in disarray for many years, has suffered another setback.

State of Libya football Things have taken a turn for the worse over the past month and she has suffered another domestic setback just days after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers collapsed.

Libya failed to secure a ticket to AFCON 2025 after failing to beat Benin Republic at the Tripoli International Stadium while Nigeria lost to Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Libyan players train in Tripoli ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifier against Benin Republic. — Libyan players train in Tripoli ahead of the 0-0 draw against Benin Republic that resulted in the collapse of the AFCON 2025 qualifying tournament. Photo from Libyan FF.
Source: Twitter

Their initial hope increased after they scored shocking 1-0 away win over Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, hurting the East African country’s chances.

Libyan Prime Minister postponed for third time

Libyans Premier League was supposed to start on October 2, but never started for various reasons: from the disagreement of the clubs to judges threaten to strikeamong others.

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All of these issues have been resolved and, after two delays, it was due to begin on November 25, but will not go as planned as a new board has been brought in.

According to Libya Al-AhrarThe General Assembly voted for a five-day extension and an agreement is reportedly nearly reached to split the league into four groups, with the draw set for next week.

This will be the third time the championship has been postponed. The current date, November 25, was set by the former president of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdul Hakim al-Shalmani, who resigned last month.

Libyan football has a lot on its hands. Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has not yet scheduled a hearing on an appeal against CAF sanctions in relation to the airport saga, despite reports that it is registered after failing to qualify for AFCON 2025.

Benin threatens to take action against Libya

legit.ng reported that The Republic of Benin has threatened to take action against Libya after its players and staff were taken hostage and attacked at the stadium and Tripoli airport.

Cheetahs Benin secured AFCON 2025 at Libya’s expense, leading to retaliation including a policeman punching head coach Gernot Rohr.

Source: Legit.ng