Dylan Bettencourt
After nearly a decade away, Libyan fans will make a joyous return to watch their sides compete in continental competitions.
Fans will also be able to watch their national team from the stadium following a nine-year ban.
During that period they had to get their weekly dose of football by watching their local teams compete domestically.
The ban was initially put in place after civil war broke out in the country, forcing football teams to host their “home” fixtures in other countries.
But now that the ban has been lifted, the passionate supporters can watch their sides in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
“Encouraging my football team and supporting it from the stands is a priority for me in this life – I was deprived of that connection for years,” Al Ahli Tripoli follower Moad Al-Wensy told BBC Sport Africa.
“Returning to the stands can be described as the feeling of an imprisoned person, who is suddenly given the freedom to practise what he loves the most on the day he is released.”
Despite being locked out of stadiums for security reasons as well as Covid-19 concerns, Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli made the Confederation Cup semi-final last season.
But fans were made to watch the final tie fixture from their homes and public spaces.
Now right off the bat fans will get to watch their side Al Ahli take on Sudan’s Al Merrikh in the second leg of the African Champions League second preliminary round fixture.
With a place in the group stage up for grabs and the Libyan team down 2-0, the atmosphere on Saturday is set to be unlike any other.
Al Ahli defender Ali Maatouk is relishing the “happy” return of fans.
“It will represent a strong motivation for us in the Champions League competition, especially since we are heading into an important confrontation against Al Merrikh,” the 34-year-old said.
The return of fans is also set to boost the Libyan national team who are looking to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for the first time since 2012.
Pictured above: Libyan football fans
Image source: @NewFrame
