Benin captain Steve Mounie has recounted the ordeal his team faced when they played Libya in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, describing it as a “war zone” in Tripoli, Afrosport reports.
The Cheetahs needed just a point to book their place in next year’s finals in Morocco which they did with the game ending goalless.
It was however not a pleasant experience for the West African team as objects were thrown at them by Libyan fans while celebrating their qualification. There were also reports of their team bus being attacked.
“It wasn’t easy. It was really a war zone. This Libyan team, this country and its supporters didn’t respect us at the start of the match. They whistled our national anthem, and we made it personal,” Mounie told Benin public broadcaster ORTB.
“We wanted to come out of this match with qualification. We did it with difficulty. Benin is at the CAN 2025. We can be proud of what we have achieved with this group of young players.”
Meanwhile, coach Gernot Rohr, speaking to Canal+ Afrique revealed that the team was beaten by Libyan police with batons.
The incident mirrored Nigeria’s treatment by Libya last month when the Super Eagles were stranded for hours at the airport in Al Abraq before opting not to honour fearing their safety and African football governing body CAF ultimately awarding Nigeria three points while fining Libya for their conduct.
According to reports, the Benin Football Federation (FEBEFOOT) will file a complaint to CAF to look into the matter.
