Togolese midfielder Alaixys Romao has expressed reservations about participating in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Libya, scheduled to take place in Benghazi on June 14. Romao took to Twitter to convey his concerns, mentioning the traumatic experience he had during the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. He expressed reluctance to impose new anxieties on his loved ones and questioned the wisdom of holding the match in Benghazi, a city marked by political unrest and previous traumatic incidents.
The Togolese Football Federation (FTF) reportedly wrote to FIFA requesting a change in the match venue, but no follow-up action has been reported. Coach Didier Six also expressed uncertainty about the match, citing the concerns of young players who have experienced unsettling conditions during training in Libya. The security situation in Libya has raised apprehensions among players and officials, leading to a plea from the federation to relocate the match.
The French nationals in the Togolese delegation, including Coach Six, may also consider avoiding the trip to Libya, considering the strict instructions from the French government for its nationals. The final decision from FIFA is awaited.
