Nigeria is aiming to extend their lead in Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they take on Libya at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Tuesday. Libya is looking to bounce back after a narrow defeat in their previous match and hopes to end a five-game losing streak against Nigeria.
Libya faced another setback in the qualifiers, suffering a 1-0 loss to Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday. Despite having less than 40% possession, they managed to defend well until Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored the winning goal in the 86th minute.
Libya started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Rwanda but has since struggled, earning just one point from their last three matches and sitting at the bottom of Group D, five points behind second-placed Benin.
Under coach Milutin Sredojevic, Libya has won only one of their five competitive matches this year, with three losses and one draw, scoring four goals while conceding six. Their only competitive victory since January came on June 6, when they defeated Mauritius 2-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
On the flip side, Nigeria heads into Tuesday's match as one of the 16 unbeaten teams in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, with two wins and one draw from their first three games.
The Super Eagles started strong with a convincing 3-0 win over Benin, featuring two goals from Ademola Lookman and another from Victor Osimhen, breaking a run of three matches without a win.
However, they faced a setback just days later, settling for a disappointing goalless draw against Rwanda. With Dele-Bashiru's late goal against Libya, Nigeria now has seven points from nine possible, placing them at the top of Group D, just one point ahead of Benin.
The turnaround in Nigeria's form has coincided with the appointment of head coach Augustine Eguavoen, who is focused on delivering the continental title in 2025.
With a strong record against Libya five consecutive wins, nine goals scored, and four clean sheets since their last loss in October 2004—Nigeria will be confident heading into this match and looking to secure a four-point lead in the group.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Libya put in a strong defensive performance against Nigeria in Uyo, managing to keep the hosts at bay for most of the match. We expect to see the same back five of Sobhi Al Mabrouk, Majdi Erteiba, Ali Yusuf, Mohammed Eshtewi, and Sanad Elkouri again.
In midfield, Muhannad Eto'o and Bader Hasan from Al Nasr Benghazi will be key players, while veteran striker Ahmed Krawaa is set to lead the attack.
After securing their third consecutive clean sheet, Nigeria's head coach Augustine Eguavoen is likely to stick with the back four of Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Bruno Onyemaechi for the fourth straight match. Stanley Nwabali, 28, will start as goalkeeper.
With Victor Osimhen sidelined, Victor Boniface had a quieter game over the weekend but is expected to lead Nigeria's attack again, supported by Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman from Atalanta.
Wilfried Ndidi, who has had a strong start with newly-promoted Leicester City in the Premier League, should join Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi from Fulham to form the midfield trio.
Unfortunately, AC Milan's Samuel Chukwueze picked up a muscle injury against Libya and has returned to Italy after withdrawing from the Super Eagles camp.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Libya possible starting lineup:
Al Wuhayshi; Al Mabrouk, Erteiba, Yusuf, Eshtewi, Elkouri; Al Gleib, Eto'o, Hasan, Suleiman; Krawaa
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyeka; Iwobi; Simon, Lookman, Boniface
EXPERT PREDICTION
Libya 0-1 Nigeria
Nigeria has had a strong start to the AFCON qualifiers and will be confident heading into their match against Libya, who have lost their last five encounters with Nigeria.
Under coach Augustine Eguavoen, the Super Eagles are flying high. Given the clear difference in quality between the two teams, we expect Nigeria to secure all three points on Tuesday.
