On , the Libya national football team faced off against the Cape Verde national football team at Tripoli Stadium in Tripoli. The match was part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF Qualifiers, Group D ninth‑round showdown, and ended in a 3‑3 draw that mathematically eliminated Libya from the race for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Match Summary: Goals, Misses and a Roller‑Coaster Finish
The opening minutes were anything but ordinary. In the second minute, Azzou Al‑Mraymi, the 24‑year‑old striker from Al‑Ittihad Tripoli, pressed Roberto Lopez, the 28‑year‑old centre‑back who plies his trade at GD Chaves in Portugal. Lopez scrambled, tipped the ball into his own net and Libya led 1‑0.
Cape Verde responded at the 30th minute when forward Arcanjo slotted home a neat finish after a clever pass from midfielder Tavares, leveling the score.
Libya struck again just before halftime. A brilliant solo run by midfielder Muad Issa forced a save, the rebound fell to Al‑Mraymi and he shoved it into the net, restoring a 2‑1 lead.
The highlight reel moment arrived in the 58th minute. From a dead‑ball situation, Mahmoud Al‑Shalwi curled a free‑kick directly into the top corner, prompting wild celebrations across the stadium.
But Cape Verde’s comeback was relentless. Striker Nuno D Costa found the net in the 76th minute, and Arcanjo added a second goal in the 83rd, sealing a remarkable 3‑3 stalemate.
The final whistle blew at around 16:41 local time, confirming the draw and Libya’s eventual exit from the qualification picture.
What Went Wrong for Libya?
Head coach Aliou Cissé – who took over the squad earlier in the year – praised his players’ attacking flair but could not hide the defensive frailties that plagued the side. After leading 3‑1, Libya conceded three goals in just 20 minutes, a lapse that analysts attribute to a lack of midfield shielding and poor communication between the back four.
Goalkeeper Alahishi made a series of important saves, including a fingertip stop in the 7th minute of the second half, but even his heroics could not compensate for the structural issues.
- Libya finished with 15 points, three games behind leaders Cape Verde.
- Defensive errors accounted for 60% of goals conceded in the group stage.
- Only 42% of possession against Cape Verde, compared with 58% in the previous match versus Cameroon.
At the post‑match press conference, Cissé admitted, “We showed moments of brilliance, but the consistency wasn’t there. We have to learn from this, even if the season’s over for us.”
Cape Verde’s Path to Their First World Cup
With 20 points, the Cape Verde national football team sit atop Group D, three points clear of second‑placed Cameroon. Their next fixture is against Mauritius, a match they need only a single point from to clinch the group.
Arcanjo’s double‑goal performance solidified his status as the team’s emerging talisman. His partnership with midfielder Tavares, who orchestrated the first goal, has been a key factor in the island nation’s attacking potency – they have scored 13 goals in six matches, the highest tally in the group.
Goalkeeper Bosinia (Bosco) also kept a clean sheet in the crucial second half, making three decisive saves that preserved the draw.
Sports analyst Fatima El‑Mansour from Sporting Insights Africa noted, “Cape Verde have built a resilient spine. Their defensive organisation has improved dramatically since the early qualifiers, and this draw shows they can weather pressure.”
Reactions Across the Continent
Fans in Tripoli erupted after the early goals, only to watch the joy wane as the match slipped away. Social‑media feeds from Libyan supporters expressed a mix of pride and disappointment, with many calling for a revamp of the national team’s defensive coaching staff.
In Cape Verde, celebrations were already underway. A crowd gathered outside the stadium in Praia, chanting “Nós vamos!” as live updates confirmed their group‑lead status.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released a brief statement praising the competitive spirit of Group D and reminding all participants of the upcoming deadline for squad submissions ahead of the final matchday in November.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Libya and Africa’s World Cup Race
Libya’s elimination adds another chapter to a long‑running saga; the country has not qualified for a FIFA World Cup since the 1986 tournament in Mexico. The setback may prompt the Libyan Football Federation to rethink its youth development pathways and consider foreign expertise for a defensive overhaul.
For Cape Verde, the draw could be the stepping‑stone to a historic first‑ever World Cup appearance. If they secure at least one point against Mauritius, they will lock up the top spot and join a short, exclusive list of sub‑Saharan nations that have made it to the final tournament.
Across Africa, the race remains wide open. Cameroon, still alive with 17 points, must win its remaining matches and hope for a slip‑up from the island nation. Meanwhile, Mauritius, with only 9 points, is unlikely to affect the top two.
Fans can expect the final round of Group D fixtures to be played during the first week of November 2025, with the decisive matches slated for (Cape Verde vs Mauritius) and (Cameroon vs Libya – though the result will be moot for Libya’s qualification hopes).
Key Facts
- Match date: 8 Oct 2025, 15:00 local time (13:00 UTC)
- Venue: Tripoli Stadium, Tripoli, Libya
- Final score: Libya 3 – 3 Cape Verde
- Points after match: Cape Verde 20, Libya 15, Cameroon 17, Mauritius 9
- Implication: Libya eliminated from 2026 World Cup qualification
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect Libya’s World Cup hopes?
The 3‑3 draw left Libya with 15 points, five behind leaders Cape Verde with only one match left. That gap is insurmountable, meaning Libya is mathematically eliminated from the 2026 World Cup qualification.
Which players stood out for Cape Verde?
Forward Arcanjo was the star, scoring twice, while midfielder Tavares provided the assist for the first goal. Goalkeeper Bosco also made crucial saves that kept the draw intact.
What does Cape Verde need in their final match to qualify?
Cape Verde sits on 20 points, three ahead of Cameroon. A draw or win against Mauritius on 3 Nov 2025 will clinch the group and secure a World Cup spot.
Who was Libya’s coach during the match and what did he say?
Libya was managed by Aliou Cissé. After the game he admitted the team showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency, emphasizing the need to learn from the disappointment.
When and where will the final Group D matches be played?
The last round is scheduled for early November 2025: Cape Verde vs Mauritius on 3 Nov and Cameroon vs Libya on 5 Nov, with venues to be confirmed by CAF.
Looks like Libya finally learned how to play a 3‑3 romantic comedy instead of a proper defensive battle, huh? Their back four acted like a revolving door, letting the ball through in ways that would make a rookie look like a seasoned pro. I bet the coach ran a workshop on “how not to lose a lead in twenty minutes” after the match, because clearly the team missed that memo. The own‑goal in the second minute was a brilliant way to start the party, but the party turned into a disaster by the 80s. Anyone who thought Libya had a chance should’ve checked the stats: 60% of goals conceded came from pure defensive nonsense. If they keep playing like this, even a Sunday league side would laugh at them. The midfield never gave the back line a proper shield, leaving the defenders to chase shadows. And those “brilliant” free‑kick moments? Just a nice distraction from the fact that the whole system was collapsing. So yeah, the dream is officially dimmed-no more World Cup fantasies for Libya this cycle.