Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen is aiming for a maximum of six points from this month’s doubleheader against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in the Group D qualifiers for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
This was confirmed in a statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications for the Nigeria Football Federation, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The first match will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening, with the return leg set for the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday night.
“We need to be practical: securing six points against Libya is our best chance to reach the finals,” Eguavoen said. “Winning these matches could ensure our place in Morocco even before Matchday 5, and we want to avoid any anxiety as the qualifiers progress.”
While acknowledging the absence of Victor Osimhen, he expressed confidence in the remaining strikers to secure victory in both matches.
The 23 invited players held a training session in Uyo on Tuesday evening, with defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke joining the squad on Wednesday morning.
Nigeria currently has four points from two matches, leading Benin Republic by one point and Rwanda by two. A double win against Libya would take the Eagles to 10 points.
Should Benin Republic win both matches, they would reach nine points, still short of Nigeria’s potential tally. Rwanda would remain at two points, while Libya would have one.
Eguavoen noted, “There are opportunities for us to secure qualification in these two matches, and we will do our best to seize our chances.”
The Libyan delegation arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport around noon on Tuesday and traveled to Uyo by road.
The referee for Friday’s match, Malawian Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, along with his officiating team, has already arrived in Uyo. The Confederation of African Football has appointed Nkhakananga’s compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti, as assistant referees, with Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa serving as the fourth official.
Cape Verdean Delgado Rocha will officiate the Libya-Nigeria clash in Benina, supported by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson as assistant referees, and Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as the fourth official.
Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will act as the commissioner, while Malian Dramane Dante serves as the referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as the security officer.
The Tuesday match will kick off at 9 PM local time in Libya (8 PM Nigeria time).
NAN
