Gernot Rohr, “Traumatised,” Calls for Sanctions Against Libya

Gernot Rohr, who has coached Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Benin during his tenure in Africa, advocates for sanctions against Libya. This call comes after the Benin coach and his squad reported being “traumatised” by the aggressive response from supporters and security personnel following a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier held last month in Tripoli. The 71-year-old German coach needed medical attention on the team bus, having been hit by a baton. Additionally, several support staff members reportedly faced altercations while the visiting team was held in their dressing room post-match. Libya entered the match aware that only a victory would keep their hopes alive for qualifying for next year’s Afcon. However, the 0-0 draw at full-time resulted in Benin securing second place in Group D, behind Nigeria, thereby qualifying for the finals in Morocco. Rohr, an experienced figure in football who has managed five African countries, including Nigeria, stated that the subsequent events represented his most challenging experience while working in Africa. He informed BBC Sport Africa, “What happened in Libya was really crazy. I have never experienced such a situation like after the match in Tripoli. It was a crazy reaction from the public and the policemen who came and attacked us. Imagine being locked in the dressing room. We were left traumatised. It is dangerous and unsafe for international matches to be played in a country where there is political instability, with no security, and could have easily led to a tragic outcome.” Since the conclusion of Colonel Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has been plagued by violence and instability. Presently, the nation is divided into two administrations, with separate governments asserting control in its eastern and western regions. A ceasefire was signed by the two factions in 2020, which subsequently permitted Libya to host qualifiers domestically starting in 2021. However, rivalries persist, and Rohr contends that African football governing bodies ought to intensify efforts to guarantee the security of visiting squads. He further stated, “I’ve never seen this before in all my years in African football, and no team in Africa deserves such a bad and dangerous treatment. We were attacked for no reason and we should not wait for a tragedy to happen. So I hope that Caf (Confederation of African Football) will do what they have to do to protect future teams who are going to be playing in Libya, and I hope they can play in a safe place.” The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) chose not to provide a statement, though an official informed BBC Sport Africa that the country “is very safe.” Caf was approached for a statement but has not yet provided one. Although Libya entered the match against Benin with aspirations of qualifying for Afcon 2025, Rwanda’s surprising win against Nigeria ultimately rendered even a three-point gain insufficient for Libya to advance from Group D. The “Mediterranean Knights'” prospects of reaching the finals were effectively ended when Caf granted Nigeria a 3-0 victory after the cancellation of the teams’ scheduled fixture in Benghazi in October. The “Super Eagles” refused to play that match because their flight from Nigeria was rerouted from its planned destination, leaving the squad stranded at an airport terminal throughout the night. Promise Efoghe, the Nigeria Football Federation’s media manager, stated at the time that no LFF official appeared to clarify the circumstances, characterizing their ordeal as akin to being “in a prison at the airport.” Striker Victor Boniface reported on social media that the team lacked food, Wi-Fi, or sleeping arrangements, and captain William Troost-Ekong described their treatment as “disgraceful behaviour.” A Caf disciplinary committee later determined that Libya had violated two provisions of its disciplinary code, in addition to one article of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. The LFF has announced its intention to “go to the highest levels of litigation” to reverse the sanction, indicating that the outcome of Group D could still face a challenge. Following their qualification for Afcon, Rohr and his Benin squad, who celebrated a notable 2-1 victory against Nigeria in World Cup qualification in June, have now refocused on the ambitious goal of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Despite Benin’s ascent in African football during the mid-2000s, the nation still possesses limited resources, prompting the coach to rely on young talent. Rohr elaborated, “We have a lot of young and local players. It is different from the other countries I had previously managed in Africa. We have half of the team under the age of 21 and 22, half of the team coming from the local league. That is the opposite of what I had in Nigeria, where everybody was playing in big teams, big clubs and big leagues. The difference is they are very, very hungry. They want to make a successful career and that’s why the ambition is very big, and it’s a special work for the coach.” Benin’s initial appearance at an Afcon finals was in 2004, with subsequent participations in 2008, 2010, and 2019. The “Cheetahs” have yet to qualify for the World Cup, but Rohr is confident that their recent achievements on the continent are “giving confidence” to his players as they aim to achieve a historic qualification. Following four qualifying matches, they currently hold third position in Group C with seven points, trailing only leaders Rwanda on goal difference and second-placed South Africa on goals scored. Rohr’s previous team, Nigeria, is currently in fifth place with merely three points. The campaign is set to resume in March with an away match against Zimbabwe, followed by a home game against South Africa. Rohr’s enduring message is that “everything is possible.” © 2024 BBC. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.