Frank Christian
Nigeria aims to progress in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers as they take on Libya in Uyo.
Beginning their campaign successfully, the Super Eagles secured points in their first two Group D fixtures under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, marking a steady start to his leadership.
Following a challenging year, which included a loss to the Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final, these qualifiers provide a chance for Nigeria to boost their morale as they also work towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The Sporting News is closely monitoring the match against Libya and will offer live updates and a full match report below.
Nigeria vs. Libya live score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Nigeria | 0 | |
| Libya | 0 |
Team 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. Wilfred 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
Standing in AFCON 2025 qualifying Group D
Nigeria leads Group D after the initial two matchdays.
| Pos | Team | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 1. | Nigeria | 2 | 4 | 1-1-0 | 3 |
| 2. | Benin | 2 | 3 | 1-0-1 | -2 |
| 3. | Rwanda | 2 | 2 | 0-2-0 | 0 |
| 4. | Libya | 2 | 1 | 0-1-1 | -1 |
Nigeria’s squad details for the Libya match
Star forward Victor Osimhen is unavailable due to injury and will not play this month. Consequently, Victor Boniface is expected to rise to the occasion. This 23-year-old has made an impressive start at Bayer Leverkusen with six goals in nine outings this season, but has yet to score for Nigeria in eight caps.
Defender Olisa Ndah is also out, but coach Eguavoen has a competent squad ready. Captain William Troost-Ekong will lead notable players such as Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman.
Bright Osayi-Samuel returns after missing the previous international fixtures, and Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke may earn his first cap since the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
Nigeria starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi — Ndidi, Onyeka — Simon, Iwobi, Lookman — Boniface
Full squad roster:
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
Match history: Nigeria vs. Libya
The two nations have faced each other five times in the past. Libya achieved a 2-1 victory in their first encounter, which occurred 20 years ago, but Nigeria has since claimed four wins, the latest being in 2018.
| Nigeria wins | Draws | Libya wins |
| 4 | 0 | 1 |
