Tripoli, 30 January 2014:
Another nail-biting finish last night saw Libya propelled into the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals, after beating Zimbabwe on penalties.
The streets of Libya were quiet throughout the match, as the nation tuned in to watch the first CHAN semi-final Libya has ever reached. A photograph of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, currently in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for the 22nd African Union of Heads of State, watching the match on television was even circulated on social media networks.
When goalkeeper Mohamed Abdaula scored the winning penalty shot, however, residents of Tripoli took to the streets in a cacophony of noise. Ships in Tripoli Port sounded their horns, fireworks illuminated the sky and the streets were filled with cars hooting, their occupants waving the national flag. Celebratory gunfire and explosions could be heard well into the night.
Last night’s win was a much-needed morale boost that brought the nation together and helped divert attention away from current political woes.
Libya will now face Ghana in the CHAN final on Saturday. [/restrict]
