Aliou Cissé has swiftly picked his first Libya’s national team sqaud 24 hours after his appointment. The Senegalese coach, who led Senegal to victory in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, has chosen a team mainly composed of locally based players as Libya gears up for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Angola and Cameroon.
Libya currently occupies second place in Group D with four points from two matches, trailing Cameroon by just one point. They have a home match against Angola on March 20 and an away game in Yaoundé against Cameroon on March 25—both crucial for their World Cup aspirations.
Notably absent from the squad is Moatasem Al-Musrati, the AS Monaco midfielder, who has declined the call-up, and defender Daniel Elfadli. Despite these omissions, Cissé has put together a strong squad featuring key players from the domestic league, blending experience with emerging talent.
Cissé is known for his tactical discipline and will work on solidifying the defence while enhancing the team’s attacking efficiency. The midfield is led by experienced players Faisal Al-Badri, Badr Hassan, and Abdullah Daqo, while the strike force includes Moayad Al-Lafi and Mohamed Soula. The defense features Majdi Artiba, Sobhi Al-Mabrouk, and Al-Bahlol Abu Sahmain.
Cissé’s ability to quickly adapt and implement his strategies will be vital as the Knights of the Mediterranean strive for success in these qualifiers.
- Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Murad Al-Wahishi (Al-Ahly Benghazi), Mohamed Ayad (Abu Salim), and Ahmed Ayad (Al-Tahadi).
Defenders Majdi Artiba (Al-Akhdar), Sobhi Al-Mabrouk (Al-Ittihad), Al-Mahdi Al-Kout (Al-Suwaihli), Mohamed Al-Shtiwi (Al-Hilal), Sand Bin Ali (Al-Ittihad), Al-Bahlol Abu Sahmain (Al-Ahly Benghazi), Taher Bin Amer (Al-Ittihad), and Mutassim Sabbou (Olympic Azzawiya SC).
Midfielders: Faisal Al-Badri (Al-Hilal), Badr Hassan (Al-Nasr), Hamza Al-Maqsi (Olympic Azzawiya SC), Abdullah Daqo (Al-Ahly Benghazi), Muhannad Eto’o (Al-Madina), Osama Al-Sharimi (Al-Suwaihli), Omar Al-Khoja (Al-Suwaihli), Ahmed Saad (Al-Hilal), Al-Abbasi (Al-Suwaihli), Fadel Salama (Al-Ahly Benghazi), and Taha Al-Shalawi (Al-Hilal).
Attackers: Moayad Al-Lafi (Al-Ahly Tripoli), Mohamed Soula (Al-Qadisiyah, Kuwait), Fahad Al-Masmari (Club Africain, Tunisia), Azou Al-Mariami (Al-Hilal), Ahmed Karwa (Al-Ahly Tripoli), and Anas Al-Masrati (Al-Taawoun).
