Libya to host first football international since uprising

Published on 20/02/2012 01:08

In A gesture towards normality, international football will return to Libya today, when local clubs al-Nasr Benghazi and al-Ahli Tripoli meet CSKA Sofia in matches that will mark the first anniversary of the revolution.

The 31-times Bulgarian champions will become the first foreign team to play in the African country after the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi’s rule erupted on 17 February last year.

“We are very grateful to the Bulgarian team, who agreed to participate in this historic event for Libya,” the Libyan embassy in Bulgaria said.

CSKA visit Libya for the first time since the 1960s, when the team took part in an international tournament. The matches will take place at the “Benina Martyrs” stadium in the eastern town of Benghazi, which is about 800 miles east of the capital, Tripoli, with capacity crowds expected for all games.