Nigeria predicted lineup, expected starting 11, team news and squad for Libya matches: With Osimhen out, pressure is on Boniface in AFCON qualifying

Nigeria will aim to take another step towards a place at the next Africa Cup of Nations finals when they face Libya in a double-header this month.

The Super Eagles sit top of Group D with four points from their opening two games in September — results that have helped to restore a little confidence amid their difficulty during their World Cup qualifying campaign .

Libya are on a three-game winless run and lost to Benin in their most recent qualifier, so belief is scarcely sky high ahead of these two fixtures. Indeed, head coach Nasser Al-Hadiri admitted they will play for a draw in this week's first game in Uyo.

Yet Nigeria's own inconsistencies in 2024 mean they would be wise not to underestimate their opponents, according to former striker Victor Ikpeba. "You have to respect Libya, they will come down to defend with their lives and rely on counterattacks," he said via Supersport. "They may be missing some key players, but we shouldn't bother ourselves with what is going on with them."

Below, The Sporting News predicts the Super Eagles' lineup for Friday's match and examines the squad available to coach Augustine Eguavoen.

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Nigeria lineup, predicted starting 11, team news for Libya match

Star striker Victor Osimhen does not expect to be fully fit until the end of October, so he is not in the squad for this month's games. That means the pressure is on Victor Boniface to perform: the 23-year-old has scored six goals in nine appearances for Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions this season, but he is yet to find the net for his country after eight senior matches.

Defender Olisa Ndah is also absent, but interim coach Eguavoen otherwise has a strong squad at his disposal. Captain William Troost-Ekong leads a team that includes Fulham's Alex Iwobi , AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze , and Atalanta star and Ballon d'Or nominee Ademola Lookman .

Bright Osayi-Samuel is back after missing the September internationals, while Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke could earn his first Super Eagles cap since the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Nigeria predicted XI (3-4-3, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey — Aina, Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyemaechi — Chukwueze, Boniface, Lookman

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie

Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Benjamin Tanimu

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi

What time does Nigeria vs. Libya kick off?

This AFCON qualifying clash takes place at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria and kicks off at 5:00 p.m. local time .

Here's how that time translates across some of the major global territories:

Nigeria vs. Libya live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this AFCON qualifying match across selected areas of the world's major regions: