Super Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen is looking to wrap up qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by earning the full points in the double-header against Libya.
The three-time African champions currently top their AFCON qualifying group with four points from two matches and face bottom side Libya, who have one point, in Uyo on Friday and Benina on Tuesday.
Eguavoen has now set himself the objective of winning both games in the double-header to all but guarantee passage to the tournament scheduled for Morocco in December 2025 and January 2026.
“We have to be practical about it: our best and surest route to the finals will be to pick up the six points in the matches with Libya, and be somewhat guaranteed of a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5,” Eguavoen told the Nigeria Football Federation media team on Wednesday.
“We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in in this qualifying campaign.
“I admit we will miss Victor (Osimhen), but I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo, and the three points in Libya.”
Benin Republic are second in the qualifying group, one point behind Nigeria, with Rwanda third, a point further adrift.
The Super Eagles would go to 10 points with two wins over Libya, while Benin and Rwanda will play twice and take points each other out to the benefit of Nigeria.
“There are possibilities and opportunities for us to sail home at the end of these two matches, and we will do our best to take our chances and have the ticket in hand before the final round of games,” Eguavoen added.
The delegation of Libya’s Mediterranean Knights landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport around noon on Tuesday and have arrived in Uyo.
Malawian referee Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, who will be at the centre during Friday’s encounter, alongside the other match officials, are already in the Akwa Ibom State capital.
