Nigeria will attempt to build on their strong start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they play Libya on Friday (today) at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in the qualification series’ third round.
The Mediterranean Knights will be looking for their first victory of the series, while the Super Eagles hope to maintain their unblemished start.
The Super Eagles started the qualifiers with a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin Republic before playing a goalless draw away at Rwanda a couple of days later in Kigali.
Austin Eguavoen’s side is currently top of Group D with four points and are the only team yet to concede a goal in the group. A doubleheader victory over Libya will see them move clear and edge closer to securing qualification, a scenario that the interim coach hopes will play out.
“The boys are ready to fight for those three points. Every second counts, and we know what it means to get the job done and over with as early as possible. It is going to be tough, but I think at the end of the day, with the boys we have in the team, they will deliver,” the coach said ahead of their encounter with the Libyans.
Today’s meeting between Nigeria and Libya will be the fifth time both countries face each other, with the Eagles winning all four previous encounters, including two games in the AFCON qualifiers back in 2018.
Eguavoen, whose side have only lost one of their last 14 AFCON qualifying matches, will hope to maintain their impressive form and continue their dominance of the visitors.
Tasked with the duty of guiding Nigeria to the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, the interim coach knows his side must be wary of the Libyans, who are yet to pick up a win in their qualifying campaign.