The Libyan national football team are due to unveil a new kit for their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique on Saturday in a break with colours associated with Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
The team will now play in a white kit bearing a pre-Gaddafi red, black and green striped flag with a crescent moon, adopted by the rebels and now the National Transitional Council.
Until now, the Libyan team had played in the green colour much favoured by Gaddafi, which he used on the Libyan flag after taking power in 1977 and also formed the cover of his political manifesto.
OmarAmer AlBarghathi, an avid football fan from Benghazi, tweeted his excitement about the new kit. "Quite excited about the Libya - Mozambique game on Saturday. New kit original independence anthem. First time I can proudly support the team," he said.
The game is due to take place in a closed stadium in Cairo due to safety concerns.
South Africa agreed last month to host the African Cup of Nations in 2013 in a swap with Libya, which had been due to hold the cup. Libya will instead host the tournament in 2017.
The change in the Libyan team kit is not just a sign of a new government but Libyan football's break with its own ties to the Gaddafi family.
Gaddafi's son Saadi was a former footballer who signed for three Serie A teams including Perugia and also ran Libya's football federation.
One story recounted by Khalid Agory, a writer for the website of Al-Ahly Benghazi, one of Libya's top football teams, revealed much about his management style. The club's stadium and club house were burnt down and three fans sentenced to death after Saadi was criticised during a match.
