In a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying clash in Uyo, Nigeria edged out a resilient Libya side 1-0, thanks to a crucial late goal from substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The match, which saw the Mediterranean Knights defend valiantly for most of the 90 minutes, was finally decided in the 86th minute when Dele-Bashiru found the back of the net to secure all three points for the Super Eagles.
Coming off the bench in the 74th minute to replace Alex Iwobi, Dele-Bashiru wasted no time in making an impact. A well-timed low cross from Moses Simon found him perfectly positioned in the box, and the midfielder calmly slotted home, sending the Uyo crowd into wild celebrations. The win propels Nigeria to the top of Group D, now with seven points, edging ahead of Benin Republic (6 points), while Rwanda (2 points) and Libya (1 point) trail behind.
The Super Eagles dominated possession throughout the match, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Nigeria’s attacking trio of Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon struggled to break down the well-organized Libyan defense. Despite a disallowed goal from Lookman in the first half, which sparked discontent among some fans, the team remained persistent, and their patience finally paid off with Dele-Bashiru’s decisive strike.
Coach Austin Eguavoen made notable changes to the squad, opting for a three-man attack in the absence of the injured Victor Osimhen. Simon was given the starting nod over Samuel Chukwueze, a decision that added fresh dynamism to the wing. Meanwhile, the midfield was marshaled by Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi, who provided much of the creative spark during the match.
Defensively, the Super Eagles were solid, with Stanley Nwabali retaining his spot between the posts. The backline, composed of Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Calvin Bassey, held firm against Libya’s sporadic counter-attacks, ensuring the visitors never truly threatened Nigeria’s goal.
While Nigeria’s performance was far from perfect, the victory underscores the team’s determination to secure qualification for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. Coach Eguavoen expressed his satisfaction with the result, praising the team’s resilience and highlighting the importance of capitalizing on key moments in tough matches.
Read more: The Things-Fall-Apart-Okonkwo Debate: Can Idris Elba Roll Fufu?
Looking ahead, Nigeria will face Libya again in the return leg at the Benina Martyrs Stadium on Tuesday. With the Super Eagles leading the group, a win in the upcoming fixture could virtually guarantee their spot in the tournament next year, while Libya will be desperate for a victory to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.
