Libya will host Benin in a decisive showdown on Monday as both teams vie for a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. Taking place at the Tripoli Stadium, the match marks the final day of the qualifiers, with significant implications for both sides.
Where and When to Watch
The game kicks off at 4 p.m. GMT, which translates to 5 p.m. in Benin and France, and 6 p.m. local time in Libya.
Fans in Benin can watch the match live on ORTB, with Canal+ Sport potentially covering the game in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa.
Qualification Scenarios
Benin heads into this match with a slight advantage. The team will secure its spot at AFCON 2025 if:
- It avoids defeat in Tripoli.
- It loses by a single goal while scoring at least once, thereby maintaining its head-to-head advantage over Libya, whom they defeated 2-1 in the reverse fixture.
- Rwanda fails to beat Nigeria in the group’s other fixture.
For Libya, the path to qualification is less forgiving. The Knights of the Mediterranean must not only win but also rely on Rwanda failing to secure victory against Nigeria.
Match Analysis
This game is essentially a final, with both teams tied on points and eager to secure one of the few remaining tickets to Morocco.
Benin’s recent performances suggest resilience under pressure. Despite missing key players in central defense, the Squirrels held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw on Thursday, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification when the Super Eagles equalized late in the match.
Libya, on the other hand, demonstrated its ability to deliver under pressure with a dramatic 1-0 victory in Rwanda, courtesy of an 84th-minute winner.
Their mental strength and home advantage in Tripoli will be crucial as they face Benin.
Psychological Edge
The mental aspect of this match is expected to be decisive. Benin must navigate the intense atmosphere at the Tripoli Stadium, where passionate fans and disruptive tactics like laser pointers are likely to test their focus.
The team will also need to overcome the trauma of 2021 when they fell short of qualification in a similar “winner-takes-all” match against Sierra Leone.
For Libya, the challenge is to build on their recent momentum and seize the opportunity to make a return to the continental stage.
With so much at stake, both teams are prepared for what promises to be a gripping contest.
The outcome will determine who earns a coveted spot at AFCON 2025 and who is left to reflect on what might have been.
👀 Au terme de cette 5ème journée, jetons un petit coup d’œil au classement du 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲 𝘿 des 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲 𝗱’𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨- 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025#AFCONQ2025#AllezLesGuépards 🐆🇧🇯 pic.twitter.com/TrGMFPytCV
— Bénin Football 🇧🇯🐆 (@FootballBenin) November 14, 2024
