By JOE APU
Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has set a firm goal for the Super Eagles to secure the maximum six points in this month’s doubleheader against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, as the race to qualify for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations intensifies.
The first clash will take place on Friday evening at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with the return leg scheduled for Tuesday night at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, Libya, 19 kilometers from Benghazi.
“Our best and surest route to the finals is by collecting all six points from these matches. That would likely guarantee us a place in Morocco before Matchday 5. We want to avoid any anxiety in the final stages of the qualifying campaign,” Eguavoen stated.
Despite missing star striker, Victor Osimhen, Eguavoen remains confident. “I believe in the other strikers to get the goals needed for three points in Uyo and three points in Libya,” he added.
Twenty of the 23 invited players trained in Uyo on Tuesday, while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Chidera Ejuke joined the camp on Wednesday morning.
Nigeria currently leads Group D with four points from two matches, one ahead of Benin Republic and two ahead of Rwanda. A double win over Libya would push Nigeria to 10 points, creating a significant gap between them and their rivals.
If Benin wins both of their upcoming matches, they would reach nine points—still trailing Nigeria’s potential tally of 10. Meanwhile, Rwanda and Libya would remain far behind, easing Nigeria’s path to qualification.
“There are opportunities for us to secure our ticket after these two matches, and we will take our chances to avoid any final-round drama,” Eguavoen emphasised.