Injury-hit Libya may field home-based players against Super Eagles

Coach of the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, Nasser Al-Hadhiri, is likely to parade a squad made up of mostly home-based players against the Super Eagles in Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duel in Uyo unless things change before they depart for Nigeria today.

Nigeria will host the Libyans at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, in Uyo, on Friday, and then fly to Benghazi to take on the Mediterranean Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, October 15.

The Guardian learnt, yesterday, that Libya’s technical crew has settled for players, who are mostly drawn from the domestic league for the first-leg tie. The team had its daily training sessions in Tripoli on Monday under coach Nasser Al-Hadhiri and his assistants Akram Al-Hammami and Abu Bakr Al-Hark.

Like the situation with the Super Eagles who are preparing for the tie in Uyo without the services of top striker, Victor Osimhen, media reports in Libya also indicated yesterday that the Mediterranean Knights are facing injury worries.

Though the report did not mention the injured players, Libyan Al-Ahrar Channel reports that replacements were found in Al-Tahadi FC defender, Mohammed Khalil, and Al-Nasr midfielder, Abdullah Abdul Rahim as well as Al-Akhdar winger, Faraj Ghaidhan. The new players who play in Libya domestic league now take the places of the absent regular players in the battle of Uyo.
Their injury woes notwithstanding, Al-Hadiri believes that getting a draw against Nigeria will be a positive result.

He conceded that getting a win against the three-time African champions will be difficult.
He said: “We realise 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,” he told Libya News 24.

Another report from Libya, yesterday, indicated that the Libyan team appears to be engulfed in an internal strife.

A Libyan publication, Libya News 24 revealed part of the headache being experienced by the Mediterranean Knights’ coach, Nasser Al-Hadhiri.

Apart from the pressure from fans who fear their country’s possible elimination after the back-to-back encounter with the Super Eagles following the team’s current bottom position, there is also a players’ boycott of the national team.

Coach Al-Hadhiri confirmed that three players from Al-Ahly Tripoli refused a call-up to the national team. They are Hamdou El-Houni, Sand Al-Warfali, and Mohamed Al-Munir.

Their absence has increased the pressure on the coach who is trying to manage the crisis stirred up by the boycotting players, and the injured ones amid widespread public criticism.
The coach also pointed out that the team suffers from a significant lack of physical preparation, explaining: “We have not yet reached the required readiness to face a strong opponent the size of Nigeria.”

Apart from tales of injury, there are also reports the team is engulfed in internal strife.
A Libyan publication, Libya News 24 has revealed part of the headache being experienced by the Mediterranean Knights’ coach, Nasser Al-Hadhiri.

Apart from the pressure from fans who fear Libya’s possible elimination after the back-to-back encounter with the Super Eagles following the team’s current bottom position, there is also a players’ boycott of the national team.

Coach Al-Hadhiri has confirmed that three players from Al-Ahly Tripoli refused a call-up to the national team. They are Hamdou El-Houni, Sand Al-Warfali, and Mohamed Al-Munir.

Their absence has increased the pressure on the coach who is trying to manage the crisis of the boycotting players, the injured ones amid widespread public criticism.

The coach also pointed out that the team suffers from a significant lack of physical preparation, explaining: “We have not yet reached the required readiness to face a strong opponent the size of Nigeria.”

The Mediterranean Knights need the point in Uyo to boost their chances of making it from the group after drawing at home to Rwanda and losing away to the Benin Republic.