Eguavoen anticipates Libya will come to fight

Nigeria interim coach Augustine Eguavoen is targeting maximum points in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header with Libya ahead of their first meeting at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, October 11.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

The Super Eagles have done their best to focus on matters on the pitch as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dragged its heels to find a permanent long-term successor to Jose Peseiro.

Finidi George replaced Peseiro at the helm in April, but he resigned abruptly in June after a 1-1 draw with South Africa and a 2-1 defeat to Benin left the team still without a win in 2026 World Cup qualifying.

NFF technical director Eguavoen was eventually handed the reins on a temporary basis in August and kicked off his fourth stint with a solid 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs in Uyo on September 7.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finalists laboured to a 0-0 draw with Rwanda in Kigali three days later, although they remain on top in Group D, one point ahead of Benin.

Eguavoen doesn't expect the Mediterranean Knights to lie down for his side in Uyo, but is confident in the quality of his players to get the job done and take them one step closer to the tournament in Morocco.

The North Africans enjoyed a strong start to the year, winning their first four matches (all friendlies) and beating Mauritius 2-1 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on June 6 before suffering their first defeat at the hands of Cape Verde (1-0) five days later.

Nasser Al-Hadhiri's side began their Afcon qualifying adventure with a 1-1 draw against the Wasps on September 4 and took an early lead in their clash with Benin the following week only to be beaten 2-1 in Abidjan.

The group is still wide open though, as they trail Rwanda by just one point in fourth place and find themselves three adrift of leaders Nigeria.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Nigeria interim coach Augustine Eguavoen

"That they (Libya) are down right now doesn't mean they cannot rise. They will come to fight. It will be tough, but the boys are ready and with the spirit in the camp, they will deliver.

"We have to be practical about it: our best and surest route to the finals will be to pick up the six points in the matches with Libya, and be somewhat guaranteed of a place in Morocco even before matchday 5.

"We don't want to be in any anxiety in the run-in in this qualifying campaign."

Libya head coach Nasser Al-Hadhiri

"We have not yet reached the required readiness to face a strong opponent the size of Nigeria.

"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."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Nigeria - Ademola Lookman is in the form of his life for both club and country at the moment and stands a chance to be named 2024 African Footballer of Year. The 26-year-old striker fired Atalanta to the Europa League title last season and has contributed two goals and two assists in four Serie A games this term. He also took his international tally to eight goals with a brace against Benin last month.

Libya - Faisal Al Badri is entering the twilight of his career at the age of 34, but he's still the lynchpin in the team as their most experienced player and is closing in on Ahmed Saad Osman's all-time record of 74 caps. The midfielder found the back of the net for the third time in six outings when he opened the scoring against the Wasps last month to underline his importance to Al-Hadhiri.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Matches - 3

Nigeria wins - 3

Libya wins - 0

Draws - 0