Traoré agrees to represent Libya national team as FA prepares his naturalization file

Malian forward Fily Traoré, of Al-Suwaihli, has officially agreed to represent the Libya national team in upcoming international competitions, in a move aimed at strengthening the attacking capabilities of the "Knights of the Mediterranean" as part of the Football Association's efforts to utilize outstanding foreign professionals in the Libyan Premier League.

This move came at the request of the head coach of the Libya national team, Senegalese Youssef Dabo, who asked the Football Association to bolster the forward line. He suggested taking advantage of the available legal regulations to naturalize some foreign strikers, paving the way for them to have the opportunity to defend the colors of the national team.

According to the source, Dabo expressed his admiration for Traore's technical abilities, who is 24 years old, and successfully convinced him to undertake an international experience with the Libya national team during the upcoming phase.

The legal file for the naturalization of Fily Traoré.

Suwahli signed the Malian striker at the end of September 2024, coming from TP Mazembe on a free transfer, with a contract extending for three seasons, valued at over 1.5 million dollars.

Traoré has faced a legal crisis after FIFA decided to suspend him for four months, in addition to fining him over $138,000, plus late fees, due to a contractual dispute with TP Mazembe, stemming from the player's unilateral termination of his contract.

With the end of the suspension period, the player is looking forward to returning to participate with Al-Suwaihly after the international break, as he is expected to appear in the anticipated match against Al-Ittihad, part of the Misrata derby for the fourth round of the Libyan Premier League.

Meanwhile, the Libyan Football Federation has finished preparing the legal file for the naturalization of the Malian striker, in anticipation of sending it officially to FIFA, awaiting the final decision regarding his eligibility to represent Libya.

A previous experience dates back to 2003.

The naturalization of Traore is not the first of its kind in the history of the Libyan national team, as the team previously relied on Uruguayan goalkeeper Luis Alejandro Agustín, who obtained Libyan citizenship in 2003, before participating with the "Knights of the Mediterranean" in the Africa Cup of Nations 2006 held in Egypt.