Nigeria made it seven points from three games in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying as they claimed a 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo on Saturday.
The visitors had made it clear they were heading to Godswill Akpabio Stadium to play for a draw and they duly executed their plan well for the majority of the game, although they also had to thank the Super Eagles’ poor finishing and a dreadful offside call to deny Ademola Lookman a goal.
However, substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru converted Moses Simon’s cross in the 86th minute to spark jubilation in the stands and earn a second win in three AFCON 2025 qualifiers for interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen.
These two teams meet again in Benina on Tuesday on matchday four of Group D.
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Nigeria vs. Libya final score
| Fulltime | Goal scorers | |
| Nigeria | 1 | Dele-Bashiru 86' |
| Libya | 0 |
Confirmed lineups:
Nigeria (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. Stanley Nwabali (GK) — 2. Ola Aina, 5. William Troost-Ekong, 21. Calvin Bassey, 13. Bruno Onyemaechi — 4. Wilfed Ndidi, 8. Frank Onyeka — 15. Moses Simon, 17. Alex Iwobi, 7. Ademola Lookman — 22. Victor Boniface
Libya (5-4-1, right to left): 12. Murad Al Woheshi (GK) — 21. Sanad bin Ali, 2. Mohammed Alshiteewi, 4. Ali Youssef, 25. Magdy Arteeba, 3. Subhi Al Dhawi — 6. Suhaib Sulaiman Shafshuf, 23. Badr Hassan, 14. Muhand Madyen, 8. Nour Al Din Ahmed Mohammed Al Qulaib — 9. Ahmed Ekrawa
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It took Nigeria, who were missing star striker Victor Osimhen, the best part of half an hour to create the first meaningful chance of the game, with William Troost-Ekong blazing a rebound over the crossbar after Frank Onyeka's ambitious attempt had been saved.
Simon was bright and busy in attack but could not forge a link with Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface, and the halftime whistle was greeted by groans of frustration amid the impressive backing of the brass band.
Fulham's Alex Iwobi wasted two openings early in the second half, first nodding the ball over from six yards out after more good work from Simon, then slicing a half-volley into the stands after a sustained spell of Super Eagles pressure.
Lookman finally made a breakthrough in the closing stages only for his smart near-post finish to be disallowed for offside. Replays showed the Atalanta star had timed his run well and was comfortably the right side of the defence when the ball was played, but with VAR not in use for these fixtures, it looked like luck was on Libya's side.
That was until four minutes before the end of regulation time. Simon worked space to the left of the box and sent in a cross towards the penalty spot, and Dele-Bashiru side-footed the ball in off the post for his second Super Eagles goal.
AFCON 2025 qualifying Group D standings
Nigeria started the day in first place in the standings after the opening two matchdays. They remain a point ahead of Benin after matchday three, Les Guepards having beaten Rwanda 3-0.
| Pos | Team | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 1. | Nigeria | 3 | 7 | 2-1-0 | 4 |
| 2. | Benin | 3 | 6 | 2-0-1 | 1 |
| 3. | Rwanda | 3 | 2 | 0-2-1 | -3 |
| 4. | Libya | 3 | 1 | 0-1-2 | -2 |
Nigeria lineup, team news and full squad for Libya match
Star striker Victor Osimhen does not expect to be fully fit until the end of October, so he was not in the squad for this month's games. That means the pressure is on Victor Boniface to perform in this international window: the 23-year-old has scored six goals in nine appearances for Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions this season, but he is yet to find the net for his country after nine senior matches.
Defender Olisa Ndah is also absent, but interim coach Eguavoen otherwise has a strong squad at his disposal. Captain William Troost-Ekong leads a team that includes Fulham's Alex Iwobi, AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze — who was a substitute today — and Atalanta star and Ballon d'Or nominee Ademola Lookman.
Bright Osayi-Samuel is back after missing the September internationals, but he was an unused option on the bench. Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke could earn his first Super Eagles cap since the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon if he plays next week.
Nigeria starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi — Ndidi, Onyeka — Simon, Iwobi, Lookman — Boniface
Nigeria subs used: Ajayi, Dele-Bashiru, Chukwueze, Awoniyi, Onyedika
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie
Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Benjamin Tanimu
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi
Nigeria vs. Libya stats, head-to-head record
These teams had met five times previously. Libya won the first meeting 2-1 on this day 20 years ago, but the Super Eagles have taken four victories since then, most recently in 2018.
Nigeria's 1-0 win today gives them five victories from six overall meetings.
| Nigeria wins | Draws | Libya wins |
| 5 | 0 | 1 |
