Captain of the Cheetahs of Benin, Steve Mounie, has condemned the maltreatment his team endured during their trip to Libya for the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Benin secured their place in the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in Tripoli, finishing second in Group B on goal difference ahead of Rwanda.
However, the team’s celebrations were marred by aggressive actions from Libyan fans and security personnel.
According to Vanguard, Mounie described the environment as “a war zone,” explaining that Libyan supporters disrespected Benin’s national anthem by whistling during its performance.
After the match, fans threw objects at the Benin players, and some security personnel allegedly attacked the team’s bus, injuring coach Gernot Rohr and other staff members.
Despite these challenges, Mounie praised the resilience of his young squad, emphasizing their pride in qualifying for AFCON 2025.
Their flight, diverted at the last minute, left the team without food, water, or communication, prompting the Nigerian Football Federation to seek government intervention.
These incidents highlight the growing tensions and difficulties African teams face when playing in Libya.
