We are not ready – Libya coach Nasser Al-Hadhiri complains ahead of Nigeria clash

Libya coach Nasser Al-Hadhiri has complained that his team is not fully prepared for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria next week, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles lock horns with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in a crucial doubleheader in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers next week. Going into the fixture, the Super Eagles are the favorites due to the gulf in quality.

Although, coach Augustine Eguavoen will be without the services of Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, there is a decent cover in the mode of Victor Boniface. Nigeria also look stocked in other positions, with the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Ola Aina.

On the other hand, Libya do not have the kind of quality that Nigeria have. Their biggest player is Ali Youssef, a €250,000-valued player who plies his trade for Tunisian side Club Africain. And unfortunately, he is injured at the moment. There are also injuries to key players like Ahmed Al-Tarbi, Mohammed Al-Tabbal.

Ahead of the fixture, coach Al-Hadhiri has stated complained about the state of his team and admits that they are not ready for the fixture.

“We have not yet reached the required readiness to face a strong opponent the size of Nigeria,” Al-Hadhiri said, per Libya Akhbar.

Nonetheless, the Libyan coach is targeting a draw against the three-time African champions.

“We realize that winning against Nigeria is difficult, but we seek to return with a draw that will be positive for us and restore our hope in competing for qualification,” Libya Akhbar added.

The first leg of the tie will take place on October 11 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium. Then, the return leg will be played on October 15 at the Matyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi.