In a nail-biting encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Nigeria edged out Libya 1-0 in their third Group A match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The match-winning goal came in the dying minutes of the game, courtesy of a stunning strike from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
The Super Eagles dominated possession throughout the match but struggled to break down the resilient Libyan defense. The Mediterranean Knights, playing defensively, relied on counter-attacks to threaten the Nigerian goal. Despite numerous attempts, neither side was able to find the net in the first half.
The second half saw a similar pattern of play, with Nigeria pushing forward and Libya defending deep. The home side had a number of chances to take the lead, but they were unable to convert them. With the clock ticking down, the match seemed destined for a goalless draw.
However, in the 86th minute, a moment of magic from Dele-Bashiru turned the game on its head. The Lazio midfielder latched onto a pass from Moses Simon and fired a powerful shot past the Libyan goalkeeper. The goal sent the Nigerian fans into a frenzy and secured all three points for the Super Eagles.
Tactical Shift: Eguavoen Explains Formation Change
Following the match, Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen explained his decision to switch to a 4-2-1 formation from the 3-4-3 system used in previous matches. Eguavoen stated that the change was made to provide more numbers in midfield and control possession against Libya’s defensive tactics.
“Last two games, when we played a back three and then four across the midfield, we always lost numbers in the middle of the field because one midfielder goes high up, and you have only Ndidi, Onyedika or Onyeka there,” Eguavoen said. “So there was a lot of space behind us so, with the back four we had more numbers in the midfield so we could possess the ball, that was the game plan.”
The tactical change paid off as the Mediterranean Knights were limited to just two attempts on goal, none of which was on target, with the Super Eagles bossing possession throughout the game.
Looking Ahead
The victory lifts Nigeria to the top of Group A with nine points from three matches. Libya, on the other hand, remain at the bottom of the group with just one point.
The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the return leg against Libya, which takes place on October 15 in Benghazi. A win in that match will put them in a strong position to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament.
It will be interesting to see if Eguavoen sticks to the 4-2-1 formation for the return fixture. If the tactic continues to be successful, he may be more inclined to use it in future matches. However, if Nigeria struggles to create chances or are vulnerable to counter-attacks, Eguavoen may revert to the 3-4-3 system.
