Libya will welcome Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium for their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying Matchday 4 encounter.
The fixture is scheduled to take place on October 15, 2024, at 8 p.m. Nigerian time, in the city of Benina, located 19 kilometers outside Benghazi.
The Martyrs of Benina Stadium, which was formerly known as the Hugo Chávez Stadium, is a 10,000-capacity venue that features an artificial turf.
The stadium has been chosen as the battleground for Libya’s attempt to climb from the bottom of Group D, where they currently sit without a win after two matches.
Libya’s path in the qualifiers has been rocky. They managed a 1-1 draw at home against Rwanda, a match held at the Tripoli International Stadium, but fell 1-2 to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.
Despite their struggles, the Libyan side is hoping to turn their fortunes around in front of a home crowd as they host Nigeria, a team that currently tops the group with four points.
Nigeria, under the guidance of head coach José Peseiro, is expected to enter the match with confidence.
The Super Eagles secured an emphatic 3-0 victory against Benin Republic in their opening fixture in Uyo, Nigeria, and played out a goalless draw with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Matchday 2.
With a blend of youthful talent and experienced players, Nigeria will look to maintain their unbeaten run and strengthen their position at the top of Group D.
Before the encounter in Libya, both teams will face each other on Matchday 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on October 11, 2024.
That match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time, and will be a pivotal fixture for both sides as they jostle for qualifying positions ahead of the prestigious AFCON tournament.
Libya, coached by Jalel Kadri, will be banking on home advantage and their passionate supporters to inspire them to a positive result in Benina.
However, they face a formidable opponent in the Super Eagles, who are widely regarded as one of Africa’s top footballing nations. Nigeria’s rich history in AFCON competitions and the depth of talent in their squad make them a tough challenge for any team.
Group D’s standings are currently led by Nigeria, with four points from two games, while Benin Republic follows closely with three points.
Rwanda, with two points from two draws, sits in third place, while Libya’s solitary point keeps them rooted to the bottom.
However, with four matchdays still remaining, the group remains open, and any team could potentially qualify for the tournament if they can string together a series of strong performances.
The upcoming matches on October 11 and October 15 will play a significant role in determining the fate of these teams as they pursue their AFCON 2025 aspirations.
For now, all eyes are on the Super Eagles and their Libyan counterparts as they prepare for their highly anticipated clash at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.
