Libya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have suffered an early setback after the national team failed to secure a single friendly match during the upcoming March international break.
Despite repeated efforts by the Libyan Football Federation, no opponent has been confirmed, leaving the technical staff without a crucial opportunity to assess the squad ahead of competitive action.
The situation is particularly frustrating for head coach Aliou Cissé, who is expected to return to Tripoli in early February to resume his duties.
The Senegalese tactician had hoped to oversee at least one high-level friendly to evaluate the physical readiness and tactical cohesion of his players before the start of the AFCON qualifying campaign.
Instead, the team now faces the prospect of entering the qualifiers without any match practice during the FIFA window.
According to sources, the federation explored several options in recent weeks, contacting football associations across Africa, the Arab world, and Asia in an attempt to arrange two preparatory matches.
Those efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful, largely because potential opponents had already finalised their schedules. The lack of early planning has been cited as a key factor, with many federations unwilling to adjust existing commitments at short notice.
Administrative instability within the Libyan FA has also been blamed for the current impasse. Observers note that uncertainty surrounding the national team’s long-term programme has repeatedly undermined preparation cycles, often leaving the senior side exposed at critical moments.
The national team, sources say, continues to bear the brunt of these shortcomings.
Compounding the issue, Cissé is reportedly still awaiting payment of outstanding salary arrears as he prepares to return to Libya.
The former Senegal coach is understood to be among the highest-paid figures in Libyan football, earning an estimated $80,000 per month, adding further scrutiny to the federation’s financial and organisational management.
Libya’s struggles come after a difficult year marked by repeated failures on the international stage. The “Mediterranean Knights” missed out on qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the upcoming World Cup, and the Arab Cup hosted in Doha.
Supporters are now pinning their hopes on a revival ahead of AFCON 2027, which will be staged in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Libya have not reached the continental finals since 2012, and fans are desperate to see the national team end a long and painful absence from Africa’s biggest football stage.
