Libya’s national football coach, Nasser Al-Hadhiri, is currently facing significant challenges as his team prepares for a crucial double header in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Nigeria, with the first leg set for October 11 in Uyo. Al-Hadhiri’s initial excitement over the absence of key Nigerian players, such as Victor Osimhen and Olisa Ndah, due to injuries has quickly turned to concern as he contemplates how to tackle Nigeria’s formidable roster, which includes dangerous forwards like Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen and Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. The severity of Libya’s situation is heightened by their own roster issues, with the coach acknowledging the adverse impact of missing prominent players on their chance to secure a favorable result in this pivotal match.
In a press conference, Al-Hadhiri expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s current condition, highlighting the absence of key players during critical training sessions in Tripoli. He articulated that the team has not attained the necessary level of physical fitness to face a powerful opponent like Nigeria. The challenge is further compounded by the need for comprehensive tactical planning that remains difficult to establish, given the lack of several key players. The absence of players not only represents a physical barrier but is also a psychological hurdle that demands double efforts from the remaining squad to emerge with at least a draw from this decisive away clash.
The constraints facing the Libyan squad have been exacerbated by injuries to significant team members, including defender Ahmed Al-Tarbi of Ahli Tripoli, Mohammed Al-Tabbal from Al-Nasr, and Ali Youssef of the African Club of Tunisia. Additionally, the absence of three Al-Ahly Tripoli players—Hamdou El-Houni, Sand Al-Warfali, and Mohamed Al-Munir—who have opted out of national duty, adds to the coach’s burden. The combined effect of these exclusions is stoking public scrutiny and criticism as Al-Hadhiri works to manage the player crises while attempting to unify a team that has been underperforming historically in the continental scene.
Libya finds itself in dire straits at the bottom of Group D with only one point from two matches, having drawn 1-1 against Rwanda and lost 2-1 to Benin Republic. In light of this, there are rising expectations among Libyans for a turnaround in fortunes, particularly with a daunting match looming against Nigeria. Coach Al-Hadhiri, alongside Football Association president Abdulhakim Al-Shalmani, has been met with skepticism regarding the team’s potential for improvement, especially given the long-standing struggles for qualification and success on an international stage.
Despite these overwhelming challenges, Al-Hadhiri has not completely lost hope, conveying a sense of optimism as the team looks to secure a positive result in Uyo. While acknowledging that beating Nigeria is a tall order, the coach remains focused on earning at least a draw to reignite their hopes for qualification in the tournament. This outlook stands in stark contrast to the urgency of their current situation, where any further setbacks could jeopardize their AFCON aspirations significantly.
As the Nigerian national team, which currently leads Group D with four points following a win over Benin Republic and a draw against Rwanda, readies itself for the match, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced his squad, heightening expectations for their performance. The second leg of the qualifiers is scheduled for October 15 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya. This two-match series will be critical for both teams, with Nigeria aiming to solidify their position at the top of the group and Libya desperately seeking a path back into contention for the 2025 AFCON.
