AFCON: Eagles get full house for Libya clash

All 23 invited Super Eagles players for Friday’s 2025 AFCON qualifying tie against Libya are now in their Uyo camp, preparatory to the crucial encounter at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the Akwa State capital, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Sevilla duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke joined camp on Wednesday morning to complete the number following the team’s first training session on Tuesday evening.

Udinese shot-stopper Maduka Okoye, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, and Moses Simon arrived on Tuesday, bringing the number of players in camp to 19, in addition to the early birds.

This situation means Augustine Eguavoen has the full complement of his players to secure the maximum points against the Mediterranean Knights and consolidate their pole position in Group D, which also houses Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Libya are highly depleted, with some of their key players injured and others turning invitations to the national team. But being bottom of the pile makes them dangerous, with their new coach, Nasser Al-Hadhiri, aiming for a draw to rekindle qualification hopes for the finals in Morocco next year.

Speaking at a press conference, Al-Hadhiri expressed cautious optimism despite facing what the local media has dubbed a ‘near-impossible mission’ against the star-studded Nigerian side.

“We realise that winning against Nigeria is difficult, but we seek to return with a draw that will be positive for us and restore our hope in competing for qualification,” Al-Hadhiri said.

Moreover, a Libyan outlet, Akhbarlibya24, reported that three players from Al-Ahly Tripoli—Hamdou El-Houni, Sand Al-Warfali, and Mohamed Al-Munir—have refused to return to the national team, adding to the pressure on the beleaguered coach.

Despite these setbacks, Al-Hadhiri remains focused on the task at hand. The Libyan team, currently at the bottom of Group D after a draw with Rwanda and a loss to Benin, sees the Nigeria fixtures as an opportunity to revive their qualification hopes.

The return match will be held on October 15 at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi, where Libya hope to capitalise on home advantage and passionate fan support.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, is confident in his squad’s ability to secure victory, even without star striker Victor Osimhen. Eguavoen has backed other forwards like Victor Boniface and Taiwo Awoniyi to step up in Osimhen’s absence.

“The boys are ready to fight for those three points,” Eguavoen asserted. “Every second counts, and we know what it means to get the job done and over with as early as possible.”

The Super Eagles coach also emphasised that his team would not underestimate their opponents, saying, “They (Libya) are down, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t rise because they have a couple of games to play. I know they will come here and fight, and we are also going to fight too.”