African glory for Libyans who risked lives

Libyan footballers risked their lives this year to fulfil Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures and were rewarded with a place at the 2012 tournament.

Tripoli-based stars drove to Tunisia and those living in Benghazi to Egypt while war raged between pro- and anti-Moamer Kadhafi forces for control of the oil-rich north African state.

Unpaid Brazilian coach Manuel Paqueta joined his constantly changing squad in neighbouring countries to prepare for 'home' matches staged by Mali and Egypt and away assignments on the Comoros Islands and in Zambia. Libya, whose national team was once captained by a son of ousted dictator Kadhafi, won `homes' games in Bamako and Cairo and drew away twice to claim one of two places reserved for the best group runners-up. No one played a bigger role in the football fairytale than 39-year-old Samir Aboud, who displayed the agility of a goalkeeper half his age to defy Zambia in a stalemate that sealed Cup of Nations qualification for only the third time.

Botswana and Niger secured places at the biennial CAF football showpiece for the first time against massive odds while defending champions Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa were shock casualties.

A stunning 1-0 triumph in Tunisia got Botswana off to a perfect start and they lost just once in eight games while a perfect home record enabled Niger to top a pool including South Africa, Sierra Leone and Egypt. Chasing a record fourth consecutive title, Egypt relied too heavily on ageing icons like Essam El Hadary, Wael Gomaa and Mohamed Aboutreika and the lone win came when they were ditched in favour of under-23 stars at home to Niger. JOHANNESBURG, Friday AFP