Sports Mole previews Friday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Libya, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Nigeria will conduct Libya In 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at the Godsville Agpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening.
The Super Eagles will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the AFCON qualifiers, while the visitors will be looking for their first win of the qualification campaign.
Competition preview
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Nigeria followed up their 3-0 win over Benin Republic in their opening AFCON qualifier to a goalless draw in Rwanda.
The Super Eagles top Group D with four points and are the only team in the group yet to concede a goal, and a double-header win over Libya will see them move clear and close to qualifying.
This will be the fifth meeting between Nigeria and Libya, with the Super Eagles winning the previous four meetings, including two games in the AFCON qualifiers in 2018.
Augustine EquawanAppointed to lead the team on an interim basis, he has retained his post and has been tasked with leading Nigeria to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Nigeria were runners-up in the last AFCON edition and have lost just one of their last 14 AFCON qualifiers – a run they will be looking to extend on Saturday.
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Libya were held to a 1-1 draw by Rwanda in their opening match of the AFCON qualifiers before losing 2-1 to Benin.
Mediterranean Knights took the lead from the spot in the ninth minute Faisal Al BadriBut a 12-minute spell in the second half saw them concede two goals and cost them the game.
Head coach Milutin Sradojevic His side will hope to pick 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 a point and will need to turn things around quickly if they are to end this run.
Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
Nigeria Format (All Matches):
Libya Africa Cup of Nations Qualification:
Libya Form (All Matches):
Group messages
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Nigeria enter this match without Galatasaray's new striker Victor Osimhen and guardian Olisa NdahHe plies his trade in South Africa with Orlando Pirates.
of Seville Sidera Educae He returns to the team after many years Bright-sounding Samuel Returns after missing last month due to injury.
Ademola Lookman He will be the man to watch for the hosts as he scored a brace in their last home match against Benin.
Libya will be without the Ahly Tripoli club defender Ahmed al-DarbiAl-Nasr Club Muhammad al-Tabal And Ali Yus of Tunisia's African club, due to injuries.
The attack is expected to be led by the Knights of the Mediterranean Ahmed KrawaHe is yet to open his scoring account in the AFCON qualifiers.
Nigeria Probable Starting Lineup:
Navapali; Ekong, Ajay, Bassey; Aina, Ntd, Onyedika, Onyemachi; Luqman, Boniface, Sucquez
Libya Probable Starting Lineup:
Al Wuhayshi; Elkhoury, Yusuf, Erdeeba, Al Mabrouk; Al Badri, Al Srimi; Salama, Al Khoja, Al Gleb; Crava
We say: Nigeria 2-0 Libya
Nigeria appear to have found their footing under interim manager Eguaveon, which is about the development of most opponents in Africa, as the Super Eagles have a wealth of talent in their squad – and we expect a win for the hosts against a hopeless Libyan side.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
