Libya have mapped out a crucial preparatory phase ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, confirming a training camp in Morocco that will include two international friendlies during the March window.
The Mediterranean Knights will face Niger and Benin as head coach Aliou Cissé begins the process of shaping a competitive squad capable of ending the country’s long absence from the continental finals.
The Libyan Football Federation revealed that the fixtures will take place between March 23 and 31, offering Cissé an early opportunity to evaluate his players in match conditions.
The decision to base the camp in Morocco reflects a desire for stable logistics and strong opposition, with both Niger and Benin providing stern, contrasting tests ahead of the qualifiers.
Federation vice-president Fawzi Jaouda said the Senegalese coach is fully committed to laying solid foundations for the next phase of the national team’s development.
Cissé is expected to spend time in Tripoli in the coming weeks to closely monitor domestic league action, ensuring in-form local players are integrated into his plans for both the senior side and the under-23 team.
The March friendlies, according to officials, will be used to assess fitness levels, tactical understanding and squad balance before competitive football resumes.
For Libya, the road ahead is demanding. The national team have not appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations since the 2012 tournament, missing out on qualification seven times in succession.
Last year’s setbacks only deepened the sense of urgency surrounding Cissé’s appointment, with expectations firmly fixed on restoring credibility and consistency at continental level.
Cissé, who led Senegal to AFCON glory in 2021, has been clear about his mandate. His objective is to build a resilient, competitive group that can reconnect Libyan football with the wider African stage and reignite belief among supporters.
That ambition is written into his contract, which reportedly hinges on qualification for the 2027 finals, set to be staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The upcoming edition will also mark a turning point for African football governance. After Morocco hosts the 2025 tournament, AFCON will shift from a biennial event to a four-year cycle.
For Libya, that change only heightens the importance of the months ahead, with the Morocco camp and March friendlies representing the first meaningful steps in a bid to end years of frustration and return to Africa’s elite stage.
