2025 AFCON Qualifier: Super Eagles Pip Libya 1-0
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured all three points in a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over the Mediterranean Knights of Libya on Friday evening in their Group D Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers.
The result came courtesy of second-half substitute, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, whose decisive goal in the 87th minute made the difference in the encounter played inside Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
With this important victory, Nigeria has now moved to seven points from three games, one more than the Benin Republic, who hammered Rwanda 3-0 in an earlier match.
From the kick-off, it was obvious that the Libyans came with a defensive strategy, to possibly pick a draw, but Nigeria’s persistence paid off with less than four minutes of regulation time as Dele-Bashiru converted from Moses Simon’s inviting cross, sending the fans into wild jubilation.
The score line would have been higher but poor finishing was the Super Eagles’ undoing, even as a contentious offside call also threatened to deny them the three points at stake.
The Super Eagles will be traveling to face their Libyan counterparts on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Benina in their fourth Group D return-leg match.
With this result, interim head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has earned his second victory in three AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Team stats | ||
---|---|---|
15 | Shots | 2 |
7 | Shots on target | 0 |
64% | Possession | 36% |
470 | Passes | 278 |
86% | Pass accuracy | 78% |
11 | Fouls | 6 |
0 | Yellow cards | 2 |
0 | Red cards | 0 |
1 | Offsides | 1 |
6 | Corners | 0 |