Tripoli, 21 April:
Libya has been drawn in Group I . . .[restrict]of the Africa section for qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It will play against Cameron, DR Congo and Togo.
Libya will face 2006 World Cup finalist Togo with an away game to begin the groups qualifying matches on 1 June.
FIFA said on Friday, that early Group I favorites, Cameroon, and Libya will play a closed door match in Sfax, Tunis. The qualifier was to have been played in Libya. However, citing security concerns, FIFA had requested that Libya choose a neutral venue for the match. The face-off is scheduled for 8 June.
Cameroon has an impressive 33 unbeaten matches record, all played at home, causing speculation over Libya’s chances of beating Cameroon on their home turf for the September 2013 qualifier.
Libya will meet DR Congo on an away game fixed for March of next year. The countries’ most recent encounter was during the 2008 Cup of Nations qualifying rounds, drawing 1-1. DR Congo’s victories include having twice won the Africa Cup of Nations.
The only north African country to never have a team qualify for World Cup finals, Libya surprised many by just breaking into FIFA’s top 50 ranking. Under Coach Marcos Paqueta, Libya’s national team has had some impressive feats over the past year, beating the odds on more than one occasion, and currently making good progress in the qualifying rounds of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
For more information on Group I fixtures, visit http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/africa/matches/group=258344/index.html [/restrict]
