Nigeria continued their strong start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on 11 October 2024 Softfootball reports.
A late strike from midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru sealed all three points for the Super Eagles, who now sit top of their group with seven points from three matches.
The match began with Nigeria asserting early dominance, controlling possession and pressing Libya deep into their half. With a 4-2-3-1 structure, Nigeria used the creativity of Alex Iwobi and the pace of Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon to stretch Libya’s compact five-man defensive line. Despite sustained pressure, clear-cut chances were limited in the first half, with Victor Boniface working tirelessly up front but unable to break through.
TVC News an Africa’s leading news channel, based in Nigeria shared the highlight of the match between Nigeria and Libya in their official YouTube channel, Watch below;
Libya, set up in a defensive 5-4-1, focused on staying organized and absorbing pressure. For long spells, their discipline frustrated Nigeria, but their inability to create attacking opportunities was evident. The visitors failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, managing only two attempts overall.
Nigeria increased the intensity after the break. Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi dictated the midfield, forcing Libya deeper and allowing the Super Eagles to push full-backs Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi higher up the pitch. Substitutions brought additional energy, with Semi Ajayi and others contributing to Nigeria’s late surge.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 86th minute. A sustained spell of pressure culminated in Fisayo Dele-Bashiru finding space inside the box before firing a precise finish past the Libyan goalkeeper, sending the home crowd into celebration. The goal reflected Nigeria’s persistence and superior attacking play.
Libya made a late substitution just moments before the goal, but their efforts to respond fell short. The Super Eagles controlled the final stages comfortably, sealing an important win without conceding a shot on target. Nigeria finished the match with 63% possession, 15 total attempts, and seven shots on goal, compared to Libya’s two attempts and zero efforts at goal.
Nigeria strengthened their grip on the top spot in their group after a hard-fought 2–1 victory, taking their record to 2-1-0 (7 points). With momentum building, the Super Eagles now look poised to secure early qualification in the coming fixtures. Meanwhile, Libya remain rooted to the bottom with just one point from three matches.
Elsewhere, South Africa delivered a statement performance, thrashing Congo 5–0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The emphatic win not only boosts Bafana Bafana’s confidence but also adds extra intrigue to the race for knockout-stage qualification as the group stage heats up.
