The Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya will this evening go head-to-head in one of the match-day three games of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The three times African champions lead group D with four points after victories over Benin Republic in Uyo and a goalless affair against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali.
On the other hand, the Mediterranean Knights of Libya are last on the four-team log following their loss to Benin Republic and one-all draw with Rwanda in Benghazi.
Nigeria will be highly favoured to win this match given their head-to-head records. Since 2005, they have met Libya four times with three of the meetings played in the North African country. The West Africans won all the four previous fixtures dating back to that 2005.
Of the four matches played, one was a friendly, one was African Nations Championship (CHAN) while two were Africa Cup of Nations matches.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the red-hot Bayer Leverkusen forward, Victor Boniface, who is yet to score for the Super Eagles despite his lethal form for his club.
Because of this, the spotlight will be on him for another opportunity to prove he can translate his club form to the international stage.
Before the return leg at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, in Benghazi, Nigerians will look up to Boniface to deliver the goods today.
Eight games into his Super Eagles career, the Leverkusen forward has failed to score, including underwhelming displays in the absence of Osimhen when he was in the middle of his transfer tug-of-war with Napoli.
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There is no doubt about Boniface’s talent, quality, or of his confidence. The trouble is that he just has not been able to bring the same club level production to the national team.
And it is not for lack of opportunities. He has come close on a number of occasions, including the last two games, but the finishing touch has eluded him.
Injury to Osimhen once again presents that opportunity for the Leverkusen man, who has five goals in his last six appearances so far for the German Bundesliga club, to stake his claim for a more competitive battle for Nigeria’s top striker slot.
If he starts, as he is expected to, look out for a very aggressive, direct route to goal.
Not that the 23-year-old appears too concerned about his international drought: “We have Awoniyi, we have Kelechi and myself,” he told ESPN.
“So any one that is called upon will try to win the game, that is the most important thing.
“Why would the weight be on me? Like I said, we have other players and we don’t know who will start, for now. But the three of us are ready to give hundred percent for us to win.”
Meanwhile, Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, has charged the Super Eagles to dominate and conquer against the Mediterranean Knights today.
In a press statement from his media team, the minister said acknowledging the ranking of the Eagles in group D, it is on them to show tactical superiority and prove their mettle on the field.
