Libyan manager Nasser Al-Hadiri has admitted that his side is not ready for a high profile game like the fixture with the Super Eagles in the Match day 3 of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo on Friday.
The newly appointed coach unveiled the list of invited players for the games but some key players are still missing due to injury and the coach told Libya News 24 that facing the prospect of lining up against strikers such as Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman and others is already sending putting fears in him and his players.
But he said they would strive to remain hopeful of a good result in Nigeria before sealing the tie at home on Tuesday.
“The challenge is not only in facing Nigeria, which has world-class attacking names, such as Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman, but also in facing influential absences among the ranks of the Libyan national team, which may hinder the team’s chances of achieving a positive result in this fateful confrontation,” Al Hadiri informed Libya News 24.
“We have not yet reached the required readiness to face a strong opponent the size of Nigeria. “The team suffered from the absence of a number of players in the first training sessions, which led to difficulty in imposing a comprehensive tactical vision for the match.
“This lack of preparation represents an additional obstacle for the team that needs to exert double efforts to achieve a positive result away from home and return with at least a draw point to renew the hopes of qualification.”
Libya are last in Group D with one point from two games ahead of their Matchday Three fixture with Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday before the return leg in Libya on Tuesday.
