March 1 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has lifted its ban on international matches being played in Libya following a visit to the country to inspect facilities and security.
Libya’s national team and its clubs competing in African club competitions have for years been forced to stage home matches in other countries such as including Egypt, Mali, Morocco and Tunisia.
Though the sanction, first imposed in 2011, was lifted briefly in 2013, it was later put back in place.
“The CAF Emergency Committee has lifted restrictions on hosting of CAF international matches on Libyan territory,” Africa’s football governing body said in a statement. “Football matches will now return to Libya, beginning by Benghazi Stadium, subject to a number of conditions being met on stadium suitability to host CAF matches”
CAF’s confirmation came after Libyan Football Federation president Abdulhakim Al-Shalmani announced that the decade-long ban had been lifted.
As a result, Al Ahly Benghazi will be able to play their CAF Confederation Cup group match against ES Setif of Algeria on March 17. The national team can then host neighbours Tunisia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier a week later in what will be the first international on home soil since a World Cup qualifier in mid-2013.
The lifting of the ban depends, however, on the fulfilment of several requirements over the next 10 days with a delegation from CAF set to return to inspect improvements.
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