Caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has said the Super Eagles will guarantee qualification to next year’s AFCON with home and away wins over Libya.
Leaders Nigeria have four points from their two matches so far, one point ahead of Benin and two ahead of Rwanda.
The Eagles will go to 10 points with a double win over Libya, while both teams on Nigeria’s heels are in attrition and are bound to chop at each other’s advantage one way or the other.
Wins for Benin in both matches will take them to nine points, still short of Nigeria’s probable tally of 10, but Rwanda will remain stuck at two and Libya one, with only two matches left in the campaign.
Wins for Rwanda will leave Benin stuck at three points and Rwanda at eight.
“We have to be practical about it: our best and surest route to the finals will be to pick up the six points in the matches with Libya, and be somewhat guaranteed of a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5. We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in in this qualifying campaign,” Eguavoen stated.
“I admit we will miss Victor (Osimhen), but I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo, and the three points in Libya.
“There are possibilities and opportunities for us to sail home at the end of these two matches, and we will do our best to take our chances and have the ticket in hand before the final round of games.”
Nwabali should remain our number one goalkeeper please. He has liver!