The Libya Football Federation (LFF) is taking proactive measures ahead of their 2025 AFCON qualifying doubleheader against Nigeria, appointing former assistant coach Nasser Al-Hadiri as the new head coach of the national team.
Al-Hadiri replaces Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic, who was sacked following the team’s disappointing start to the qualifiers earlier this month.
LFF President Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani confirmed, “We have reached an agreement with national coach Al-Hadiri, who brings a wealth of technical experience, having previously served as assistant coach under Spaniard Javier Clemente with the Libyan national team in 2014.”
According to the Libyan Observer, Al-Hadiri will be supported by assistant coach Abu Bakr Al-Harak, with Misbah Shangab as the goalkeeper trainer.
Al-Hadiri’s first challenge will be to revive Libya’s qualification hopes when they face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Uyo on Friday, October 11, followed by the return leg in Benina on Tuesday, October 15.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced that Libya will host the Super Eagles at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, a 10,000-capacity venue located 19 kilometres from Benghazi. Formerly known as Hugo Chávez Stadium, it features an artificial playing surface.
Libya currently sits at the bottom of Group D with just one point, having drawn 1-1 with Rwanda at home before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in Ivory Coast. In contrast, Nigeria leads the group with four points, after a 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo and a goalless draw against Rwanda in Kigali.
