The Super Eagles could already punch their ticket to next year’s AFCON in Morocco with home and away wins over Libya as that will see them bag 10 points.
That would mean the three-time African champions through to Morocco 2025 even before the away game against Benin and home match against Rwanda next month.
The Super Eagles lead Group D with four points after a 3-0 win over Benin in Uyo and a goalless draw with Rwanda in Kigali last month.
Benin are second with three points, Rwanda third on two points while Libya are bottom with a point.
The top two teams in the group will advance to the next AFCON in December 2025.
Nigeria and Libya have met at full international level five times with the Super Eagles winning four of these games, while they lost one.
The two teams’ last meetings were six years ago in 2019 AFCON qualifiers.
The Super Eagles trounced the North Africans 4-0 at home before they did the double in Libya with a 3-2 victory.
There is now some measure of stability in the Super Eagles after caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen was mandated to now qualify the team to the AFCON after an initial agreement to handle the first two qualifiers of last month.
The results in September have also lifted the Super Eagles after they forced a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo and were stunned by Benin 2-1 in 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.
Former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba said the players were stung by criticisms after that poor run.
“They are committed to get it right,” he said.
The quality in the team has never been in doubt so much so that they can do without the goals and commitment of African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen, who is injured and so not available for selection.
Ballon d’Ore nominee for 2024 Ademola Lookman has flourished this year for both club and country, while Victor Boniface has continued from where he stopped at German Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been a great addition to the squad, Raphael Onyedika has been on top form at Belgian champions Club Brugge, while the defence has stabilised under the leadership of captain William Ekong.
The Super Eagles have to now showcase this quality on the pitch beginning from Friday in Uyo.
