Oluwatosin Enesi
The Mediterranean Knights stunned their hosts with an 84th-minute goal from Saad Mohamed, reviving their own chances of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco and ultimately securing Nigeria’s place in the 35th
AFCON tournament next year.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, needing at least a point to secure their spot in Morocco. However, Libya’s victory ensured Nigeria’s qualification before kick-off, sparing them the pressure of needing a result. Libya had put the Nigerian team through an unforgettable ordeal in October.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, have now qualified for their 21st appearance at the tournament, which will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles recently finished as runners-up in the 2023 edition, held between January and February this year in Ivory Coast. The team, managed by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, lost 2-1 to the hosts in the final, marking Nigeria’s fifth agonising defeat in an AFCON final since their first participation in 1963. They have also finished third on eight occasions.
Nigeria’s three AFCON titles were won on home soil in 1980, in Tunisia in 1994, and in South Africa in 2013.
Libya’s win means the Super Eagles now only need a draw to secure the top spot in the group, with their match against Rwanda still to come at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday.
As things stand in Group D, third-placed Rwanda, with five points, and bottom-placed Libya, one point behind them, still have slim hopes of qualifying for the tournament.
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