International football returns to Libya after seven-year hiatus

Libyan football fans enjoy the return of international football, despite their side’s 5-2 defeat to Tunisia in Benghazi.

Libya’s national football team lost to Tunisia on Thursday but fans in the eastern city of Benghazi still had reason to cheer as international football returned to Libya after a seven-year hiatus. International football had been banned in Libya for several years as the North African country was wracked by conflict. Tunisia, nicknamed the Eagles of Carthage, won 5-2 in a match played behind closed doors due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic at the Benina Martyrs Stadium, formerly known as Hugo Chavez Stadium under the regime of overthrown leader Muammar Gaddafi.