Libya’s national football team head coach, Nasser Al-Hadiri, has expressed concerns over his team’s lack of readiness for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Nigeria. The Mediterranean Knights are facing several challenges, including the absence of key players due to injuries and suspensions, as well as reports of some top players boycotting the home and away fixtures.
At a recent press conference, Al-Hadiri admitted that these setbacks have hindered his ability to craft a comprehensive tactical approach for the matches. He further revealed that the team was already struggling before he took over as coach.
“We have not yet reached the required level of readiness to face a strong team like Nigeria,” Al-Hadiri stated. “The team was not in good shape before I took over, and the absence of several players during training has made it difficult to establish a tactical plan.”
Libya is scheduled to take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, October 11, at 5 p.m. The return leg will see Libya host the three-time African champions in Benina four days later.