Mustapha Habeeb
Super Eagles interim coach, Austine Eguavoen, is optimistic about his team’s chances against Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, despite the absence of Victor Osimhen due to injury.
“He’s not here physically, but I am 100 per cent sure that he is with us spiritually,” Eguavoen said, acknowledging Osimhen’s impact. However, he emphasized that the team will not underestimate Libya, currently bottom of Group D.
“They (Libya) are down, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t rise because they have a couple of games to play. I know they will come here and fight, and we are also going to fight too. Let’s forget about the past games and look ahead to the Libya game, and our focus is on the home game in front of us.”
Addressing reports about team selection, Eguavoen clarified, “The Nigeria national team belongs to every Nigerian in the world who can play football, and we cannot shut the door on anybody… I have always said and maintained that everybody has a chance to serve the fatherland.”
Eguavoen urged supporters to rally behind the team, saying, “Let people just try and support me and the team because it is for Nigeria, and we don’t want any distraction… Distraction is not the best thing for us right now.” The Super Eagles face Libya on October 11 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and again on October 15 at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium.