National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Alimi Micheal, KWARA|
The Super Eagles of Nigeria clinched a crucial 1-0 win against Libya in the AFCON 2025 qualifier, thanks to a late strike by substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
The dramatic game, held on Friday evening in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, saw Nigeria struggling to break down Libya’s resolute defense until Dele-Bashiru’s 86th-minute winner.
The match was a tight affair, with both sides battling hard. After being introduced as a substitute, Dele-Bashiru made an immediate impact, slotting home a precise finish that sent the Uyo crowd into celebration.
“It was a tough game, but we never lost belief. When I got the chance, I knew I had to make it count,” Dele-Bashiru said after the game.
The win greatly boosts Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot in AFCON 2025. Despite Libya’s resilient performance, Nigeria’s persistence finally paid off.
Speaking about the match, Coach Austin Eguavoen praised his team’s determination, stating, “The boys gave it their all. It wasn’t easy, but we showed the character needed to win.”
Earlier, Samuel Chukwueze missed a one-on-one opportunity in the 70th minute, a chance that could have eased the tension in the Super Eagles’ camp.
In the 83rd minute, Ademola Lookman thought he had sealed the win with a second goal, but it was disallowed for offside.
“We knew we had to stay focused, and luckily we got the breakthrough,” said Lookman.
With this victory, Nigeria remains on top of Group D with seven points, closely followed by Rwanda with six points from three games.
Libya remains at the bottom with one point after a hard-fought performance in Uyo. The Super Eagles will now prepare for the return leg against Libya on October 15, where a win could confirm their qualification.
The Eagles fielded a strong attack featuring Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon in the absence of injured striker Victor Osimhen.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi controlled the tempo, while Stanley Nwabali kept goal behind a defense consisting of Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Calvin Bassey.
The team will be looking to build on this momentum as they head to Libya.
