UPDATE: THE NIGERIAN PLAYERS HAVE DECIDED TO BOYCOTT THE MATCH AFTER BEING LEFT STRANDED AT AN AIRPORT OVERNIGHT IN LIBYA
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It wasn’t convincing but the still officially manager-less, at least permanent manager-less, Nigeria earned another narrow victory at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo the other day in the reverse fixture between these two sides.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday 15th October, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – beIN Sports streaming platforms
LIBYA PREVIEW: LIMITED LIBYANS
In the reverse fixture between these two sides the other day, Libya made themselves very difficult to beat with help of the tactics of relatively unknown coach Nasser Al Hadhirinew, deploying a deep block to limit Nigeria’s array of attacking threats.
It took until the 86th minute for the Super Eagles to find a way through but that has continued a poor start to AFCON qualification for the Libyans after they collected just one point from matches against Rwanda and Benin last month.
NIGERIA PREVIEW: FINDING A WAY
Since reaching the final of the 2023 AFCON earlier this year, Nigeria have been without a permanent manager following the departure of Jose Peseiro with former coach Augustine Eguavoen at the helm on an interim basis.
The Nigerians have an abundance of quality but performances have consistently flattered to deceive. That was shown with their goalless draw against Rwanda last month but with three successive clean sheets and the aforementioned attacking prowess, they are always a threat.
LIBYA TEAM NEWS: NO NEED TO CHANGE
Libya do have a fully fit and available squad for this one with no real injury concerns, albeit there are a few doubts over Sanad Ali, or suspension issues so, especially after what was a disciplined performance the other day, it would be no surprise to see them unchanged.
PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Al Woheshi; Ali, Alshiteewi, Yusef, Arteeba, Al Dhawi; Shafshuf, Hassan, Madyen, Al Qulaib; Ekrawa
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
NIGERIA TEAM NEWS: FINDING THE BALANCE
Victor Osimhen is not in the Nigerian squad for this international break with Victor Boniface the focal point in attack with the excellent Ademola Lookman off the left. They have recently switched from a back three to a 4-2-3-1.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyeka; Simon, Iwobi, Lookman; Boniface
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
LIBYA VS NIGERIA PREDICTION
The match is in doubt due to Nigeria’s squad being held at a Libyan airport after an unplanned and unexpected diversion leaving the Nigerian squad keen to boycott and return to Nigeria. If the match does go ahead then Libya, as mentioned, will once again seek to implement a deep and frustrating low block, limiting the likes of Moses Simon and the aforementioned Lookman’s ability to get in behind. Despite that, though, a low-scoring Nigerian victory remains the best bet.
LIBYA VS NIGERIA TIP: NIGERIA TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS