Libya turn around deficit against Botswana to draw in Africa Cup of Nations Qualification

Libya's national football team clinched a dramatic draw against Botswana, finishing 2-2 after coming back from two goals down in the final moments of the match held on Thursday evening at the Tripoli International Stadium, without the presence of fans, in the first round of Group 8 in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualification for 2027.

Libya started the match with early pressure on Botswana's defense, looking for a goal to gain the advantage, but the attacking attempts lacked effectiveness, as the visitors succeeded in closing the spaces in front of Libya's players and preventing them from reaching the penalty area.

Libya suffered a setback in the 30th minute as Tomisang Orebonye opened the scoring for Botswana, capitalizing on a misunderstanding between Aziz Al-Suwaidi and goalkeeper Ayman Al-Tihar in dealing with a cross, heading the ball into the net.

The hosts were unable to show the required reaction after the goal, and the attacking performance continued without any real danger. Oriboni then doubled Botswana's lead in the 42nd minute, as he broke behind the defense following a long ball, got past Al-Tihar, and shot into the net, ending the first half with the visitors ahead by two goals to nil.

Libya improved in the second half, increasing their attacking pressure as Botswana fell back to maintain their lead.

The attempts of the Mediterranean Knights relied on shooting from outside the penalty area, given the difficulty of engaging in physical confrontations with the players of Botswana, who showed strength and high fitness levels. However, those attempts did not result in a goal.

In the 65th minute, Ali Youssif nearly reduced the deficit after rising to meet a ball and heading it, but it went just wide of the right post of Botswana's goalkeeper Foko.

Botswana responded quickly with a dangerous attempt in the 67th minute, when forward Yaoni received the ball behind the defense and unleashed a powerful shot, but Ayman Al-Tihar excelled in saving it and turning it into a corner, denying the visitors a chance to score their third goal.

With Libya continuing to apply pressure, the hosts began to penetrate the Botswana penalty area more frequently. However, a lack of precision in the final touch, along with the Botswana defense's superiority in dealing with high balls, prevented any change in the scoreline.

In the 75th minute, Hamdou El Houni fired a low shot from distance that went just wide of the post, before the Libya national team had an even better chance two minutes later, when Mouad Eissa received a long ball inside the penalty area, skillfully bypassed a defender, and shot, but the ball deflected off a defender and reached goalkeeper Vuko.

The Libya national team continued their attacking efforts while relying on varied play down the wings, until they succeeded in reducing the deficit in the 87th minute, when Bashir Al-Habishi unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net against the Botswana national team.

The Mediterranean Knights did not retreat after the goal and continued to apply pressure until the final minutes, earning a penalty in the 4th minute of stoppage time.

Ezoo El Maremi took the penalty and successfully placed it in the net, giving his national team the equalizing goal, and the match ended 2-2.

With this draw, the Libya national team secured a valuable point at the start of their journey in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualification 2027, having succeeded in coming back from two goals down to equalize in the final moments.