Nigeria’s Super Eagles head into Friday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights with a lot of confidence after amassing four points from a possible six in their first two games.
A convincing 3-0 win against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo was followed by a goalless stalemate against Rwanda in Kigali.
Libya, winless in their previous two matches in the qualifiers, are currently rocked with injury as coach Nasser Al-Hadiri has confirmed that defender Ahmed Al-Tarbi, Al-Nasr’s Mohammed Al-Tabbal, and Ali Youssef, who plays for Al-Afriqi Al-Tunisi, are all set to miss the game due to injuries.
🇳🇬 Nigeria 🆚 Libya 🇱🇾
Friday 11th October, 2024
5:00PM WAT🚨 LIVE ON AFROSPORT TV
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On coach Augustine Eguavoen’s roster, reigning African Footballer of the Year, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen is the only player missing in action after the 25-year-old pulled out due to injury.
In his absence, Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, and Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho are options upfront, along with Chidera Ejuke, who makes a return to the squad after two years.
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has continued to impress in the Italian Serie A, but Eguavoen should continue with Stanley Nwabali in goal due to his recent form with the national team, and Nigerians will ask questions if the Chippa United shot stopper fails to get the nod.
The 3-5-3 formation kept Benin Republic and Rwanda at bay in the last two games and will, however, not be out of place for the coach to retain the style.
Captain William Troost-Ekong should partner Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi in a three-man defence, while Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel should be favoured in the right and left-wing-back positions, respectively.
Wilfred Ndidi has done enough to retain his position in the base of the midfield, but his pairing partner has been the main issue in recent times. Alex Iwobi started there against Benin, while Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was handed a starting berth against Rwanda.
Seeing as Libya would probably sit deep against the Super Eagles, Eguavoen should hand the creative responsibility to Iwobi, who is the more experienced of the two.
In the absence of Osimhen, Boniface is presented with another opportunity to impress in the colours of the three-time African Champions, so he should get the nod, and the 23-year-old should be flanked by the in-form Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and returning Sevilla man Chidera Ejuke.
Ejuke and Lookman can switch roles intermittently as they offer a lot going forward and can both dazzle and create chances as well as score goals when opportunity comes begging.
While it is a fact that only the coach decides who features, this line up is rich enough to down the Mediterranean Knights on Friday, October 11, when the game takes centre stage at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
