Fisayo Dele-Bashiru came off the bench to deliver a vital goal that secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Nigeria against Libya in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Super Eagles, playing at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, faced a resilient Libyan side that was determined to frustrate the Nigerian attack with a deep defensive setup throughout the match.
The breakthrough came in the 86th minute when Dele-Bashiru, who had replaced Alex Iwobi in the 74th minute, latched onto a perfectly delivered low cross from Moses Simon.
The Lazio midfielder’s finish was a decisive moment in a game that saw the Libyans hold firm in their half for much of the match.
Despite Nigeria’s dominance, creating several chances, the Mediterranean Knights used every trick in the book, including time-wasting and defensive tactics, to keep the Super Eagles at bay.
With the win, Nigeria now sits at the top of Group D with seven points, moving ahead of Benin Republic, who have six points, while Rwanda and Libya trail behind with two and one point, respectively.
The result has boosted Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the AFCON tournament, putting them in pole position in the group standings.
Coach Austin Eguavoen’s men dominated possession from the first whistle, controlling the flow of the game but were unable to convert their chances early on.
A notable moment came when Ademola Lookman thought he had given Nigeria the lead, only for his goal to be ruled out for offside—a decision that sparked protests from the home fans in the stadium.
Eguavoen, dealing with the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen due to injury, opted for a three-man attack featuring Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon.
Simon, who earned a starting role after being benched in Nigeria’s previous two games, replaced Samuel Chukwueze, adding pace and creativity on the wings.
Despite Nigeria’s attacking firepower, Libya’s resolute defense and tactical discipline kept the Super Eagles from scoring for much of the game.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi controlled the tempo, linking up well with the forward line but struggling to find a way past the well-organized Libyan defense.
Nigeria’s defense was marshaled by William Troost-Ekong, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Calvin Bassey, with Ola Aina providing width on the flanks.
Stanley Nwabali, who was trusted between the posts, was largely untroubled as Libya offered little going forward.
The match, which had promised to be a straightforward win for Nigeria on paper, turned out to be a frustrating affair as Libya resorted to defensive tactics to slow down the game.
Their time-wasting efforts became evident, especially after the disallowed goal, as they appeared content to settle for a draw.
However, Dele-Bashiru’s late heroics broke their resistance, sending the home crowd into rapturous celebration.
The introduction of Dele-Bashiru in the 74th minute proved to be the game-changer, with his energy and directness adding a new dimension to Nigeria’s attack.
His ability to find space behind the Libyan defense and his calm finish showed the depth of talent in the Super Eagles squad, even without key players like Osimhen.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will aim to build on this momentum as they face Libya again in the return leg, scheduled for Tuesday at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.
The Super Eagles will be wary of the North Africans’ defensive approach, knowing they will need to be clinical in front of goal to secure another crucial victory.
For Coach Eguavoen, the win is a significant step forward in Nigeria’s qualification campaign, but there will be areas of concern, especially the team’s difficulty in breaking down well-organized defenses.
However, the resilience shown by the team and the timely impact of substitutes like Dele-Bashiru highlight the squad’s depth and determination to push through tough situations.
As Nigeria continues its journey towards AFCON qualification, the victory in Uyo not only boosts morale but also strengthens their position at the top of the group.
The Super Eagles will now focus on finishing the job in Libya, knowing that another win will put them one step closer to securing their place in the prestigious continental tournament.
With their attacking prowess and strong defensive setup, the Super Eagles remain favorites to emerge from Group D, but they will need to stay focused and avoid complacency in the remaining qualifiers.
Tuesday’s match in Benghazi promises to be another test of their resolve, especially against a Libyan side likely to be buoyed by playing on home soil.
For now, Nigerian fans can celebrate a well-earned victory, thanks to Dele-Bashiru’s decisive contribution, as the Super Eagles edge closer to securing their AFCON ticket.
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