Steve Mounie, captain of the Benin national football team, has criticized the treatment he and his teammates received during their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya in Tripoli.
Benin secured qualification as Group D runners-up after a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Despite finishing level on points with Rwanda, the team advanced due to a superior goal difference.
However, the aftermath of the match turned chaotic as Libyan fans disrupted Benin’s celebrations by throwing objects at players inside the Tripoli National Stadium. Reports also allege that Libyan security personnel attacked Benin’s team bus as it left the stadium, injuring head coach Gernot Rohr and several other team members.
Describing the hostile atmosphere, Mounie told ORTB: “It wasn’t easy. It was really a war zone. This Libyan team, this country, and its supporters didn’t respect us from the start of the match. They whistled during our national anthem, and we took it personally.
“We wanted to come out of this match with qualification, and we did it with difficulty. Benin is at CAN 2025. We can be proud of what we achieved with this group of young players.”
The incident echoes similar events involving Nigeria’s Super Eagles during their visit to Libya for a previous AFCON qualifier. Nigerian players and officials were reportedly stranded at the airport upon arrival, highlighting ongoing concerns about Libya’s treatment of visiting teams.
Despite the challenges, Benin’s qualification has been hailed as a significant achievement, showcasing the resilience and determination of its young squad.
