The President of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, has officially resigned, plunging the nation’s football leadership into chaos just days before a crucial second-leg clash against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers.
This decision came during a General Assembly meeting at the Mahari Hotel in Tripoli, according to Dzairsport.
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Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani: A Leader Under Fire
Al-Shalmani’s resignation follows Libya’s recent 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in the first leg, a loss that intensified scrutiny on his leadership.
Many critics labeled Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani as the worst president in the federation’s history due to his inability to set clear goals and develop long-term plans for the advancement of Libyan football.
Observers noted that clubs, the media, and the public had voiced strong criticism, with some clubs even threatening to boycott the upcoming Libyan Premier League season unless he stepped down.

Having taken office in December 2018, Al-Shalmani had already faced calls for his removal when the General Assembly withdrew confidence from his predecessor, Jamal Al-Jaafari, by a two-thirds majority.
Despite his resignation appearing to be a strategic move to avoid a vote of no confidence, analysts argue it may have come too late to mend his reputation.
As Libya sits at the bottom of their qualifying group, his departure adds another layer of uncertainty as the national team gears up for a decisive match against Nigeria.
The federation’s future leadership will be critical in steering the team back on course in their AFCON campaign.