Sixteen African nations have officially confirmed their participation in the Africa Minifootball Cup of Nations, set to take place in the Libyan city of Derna in April 2025.
According to a statement released on the official Facebook page of the African Minifootball Federation, the confirmed participants include Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Chad, Somalia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Zambia, and South Africa.
The African Minifootball Federation is expected to finalize the list of participating teams before the tournament’s draw, scheduled to be held in December 2024 in Derna.
This highly anticipated event marks a significant step for the sport of minifootball in Africa and promises to foster regional unity through sports.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
