LIBYA forced a 0-0 draw with South Africa in Durban Saturday to remain a surprise Group E leader in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition.

When the mini-league draw was made, former African champion Nigeria and South Africa were installed as favorites to fill the two places available for the finals in Cameroon.

But with two of the six qualifying rounds completed, Libya leads with four points, South Africa and Nigeria have three each and the Seychelles are pointless.

Algeria-born coach Adel Amrouche said he hoped the goalless stalemate at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Indian Ocean port city would bring joy to the Libyan people.

“Only football can bring the people together,” said the 50-year-old former coach of Equatorial Guinea, Burundi and Kenya.

He was talking after deadly clashes in Tripoli last week between rival militias battling for control of the Libyan capital.

Libyan national and club teams have had to host home matches outside the north African country because of safety issues since the 2011 death of dictator Muamar Kadhafi.

“I am not coaching Libya for money — I want to help bring happiness to the people by taking the national team to the Cup of Nations finals,” said Amrouche.

Libya faces Nigeria twice between Oct. 8 and 16 while South Africa hosts and visits the Seychelles at the same time.

(SD-Agencies)