By Mark Ogagan
Nigeria will host Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening in the first leg of a double header, as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers gather momentum. Kick off is 17h00 local time.
The Super Eagles will be aiming to extend their unbeaten start to the AFCON qualifiers, while the Mediterranean Knights are still seeking their first win of the qualifying campaign.
Nigeria followed up a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in their opening match of the AFCON qualifiers with a goalless draw away at Rwanda a couple of days later.
The Super Eagles top Group D with four points and are the only team yet to concede a goal in the group, and a double header victory over Libya will see them move clear and edge closer to securing qualification.
For the record, this will be the fifth meeting between both countries, with the Super Eagles winning all four previous encounters, including two games in the AFCON qualifiers back in 2018.
Augustine Eguavoen, who was appointed on an interim basis to lead the team, has retained his position and has been tasked with guiding Nigeria to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Nigeria finished as runners-up at the last AFCON edition and have lost just one of their last 14 AFCON qualifying matches – a run they will hope to extend on Friday.
Libya kicked off their qualifying campaign wit a 1-1 draw against Rwanda before losing 2-1 to Benin in their second match.
Head coach Milutin Sredojevic will hope his side picks up valuable points against Nigeria as they look to end their 12-year AFCON absence.
Libya’s last appearance in the continental showpiece came back in 2012, but they are currently bottom of Group D with one point and will have to quickly turn things around if they are to end this run.
In the other Group D fixture also on Friday, Rwanda will travel to Abidjan to face Benin Republic.
Discussion about this post