Libya’s national football team coach, Nasser Al-Hadhiri, has expressed concerns about his team’s level of preparedness as they approach their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers against Nigeria.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face off against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in a critical doubleheader next week. Heading into the encounter, Nigeria is widely regarded as the stronger side, with a higher caliber of players despite the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, who will miss the matches due to injury. In his place, Nigeria will rely on Victor Boniface, while the team remains well-supported in other key positions with notable players such as Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Ola Aina.

Libya, in contrast, is not as well-equipped, with their squad lacking the depth of Nigeria’s. Their most prominent player, Ali Youssef, who plays for Tunisian side Club Africain, is currently sidelined due to injury. Other key Libyan players, such as Ahmed Al-Tarbi and Mohammed Al-Tabbal, are also injured, leaving the team significantly weakened.

Ahead of the match, Al-Hadhiri acknowledged the challenges his team faces, admitting that they are not fully prepared to take on Nigeria. “We have not yet reached the required readiness to face a strong opponent like Nigeria,” he said in a statement to Libya Akhbar.

Despite these setbacks, Al-Hadhiri remains hopeful, aiming to secure a draw against the three-time African champions. “We know winning against Nigeria will be difficult, but our goal is to return with a draw, which would be a positive result and keep our qualification hopes alive,” he added.

The first leg of the qualifiers will take place on October 11 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Nigeria, followed by the return leg on October 15 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.