Head coach of Libya, Nasser Al-Hadhiri, has expressed some concern ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria.

The Knights of the Mediterranean are gearing up for their crucial encounter against the Super Eagles on Friday, October 11, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, before hosting Nigeria in the return fixture on Tuesday, October 15.

Al-Hadhiri, who was recently appointed as head coach for Libya, faces a daunting prospect as he takes on a star-studded Super Eagles team away from home in his first game in charge.

Speaking ahead of the game, Al-Hadhiri cited the notable absentees in his squad as a major concern, alongside facing world-class players like Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface.

“The challenge is not just in facing Nigeria, who boast world-class attackers like Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman, but also in dealing with the crucial absences within the Libyan squad, he noted.

“We haven’t yet achieved the level of readiness required to face an opponent as strong as Nigeria. The absence of several players in our early training sessions has made it difficult to implement a cohesive tactical plan for the match.

"This lack of preparation is a major concern, and the team will need to put in extra effort to secure a positive result away from home, ideally returning with at least a draw to keep our qualification hopes alive.”