The Cheetahs of Benin Republic achieved a historic milestone by clinching a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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However, their celebrations were marred by an incident involving head coach Gernot Rohr, who, alongside a team security personnel, was attacked by a Libyan policeman.
Reports from Benin Football on X detail that the altercation occurred following Monday’s goalless draw against Libya in Tripoli. The result secured Benin’s second-place finish in Group D, granting them qualification for next year’s AFCON alongside Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
In the aftermath of the match, the Benin team was reportedly confined to the stadium’s locker room. This measure was taken to ensure the players’ safety amidst concerns over potential unrest from frustrated Libyan fans.
The delay was aimed at allowing the crowd to disperse before the team exited the premises.
Despite these precautions, tensions escalated when the team was finally allowed to leave. A Libyan policeman allegedly assaulted Rohr and a member of the Benin team’s security staff, further highlighting safety concerns during international fixtures in the region.
This incident follows an earlier controversy in October, when Nigeria’s Super Eagles were detained for over 10 hours by Libyan authorities ahead of their AFCON qualifier in Benghazi.
The fallout from that incident led to a $50,000 fine for Libya and awarded Nigeria three points and three goals after a CAF Disciplinary Board investigation.
The Libyan Football Federation has since appealed CAF’s decision, but repeated incidents like these raise questions about the safety and security of teams traveling to the region for international matches.
Benin’s qualification is a cause for celebration, yet the troubling post-match events cast a shadow over their achievement.
