Nigeria’s Super Eagles may be without two key players as they prepare to face Rwanda in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Monday.

The team returned to Nigeria on Friday after securing a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic. Their qualification for the AFCON tournament had already been confirmed earlier in the week, following Libya’s 1-0 win over Twanda, which guaranteed Nigeria’s spot before the match in Abidjan.

Defender Ola Aina has left the team and flown back to the United Kingdom. While the reason for his departure remains unclear, his absence leaves a gap in the squad for their upcoming match. Aina’s contributions have been pivotal in Nigeria’s defense, and his unavailability is a setback for head coach Augustine Eguavoen.

First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is also set to miss the Rwanda clash. The shot-stopper is grieving the loss of his father, who passed away on Thursday. Nwabali shared the heartbreaking news on his Instagram page, prompting the team to excuse him from the fixture to be with his family during this difficult time.

With qualification secured, the Super Eagles may opt to rotate their squad and provide opportunities for other players in their final qualifying match.

However, the absence of key players like Aina and Nwabali underscores the challenges faced by the team heading into the encounter against Rwanda.

Despite these setbacks, Nigeria remains determined to end its qualifying campaign on a high note, showcasing the depth and talent in its squad.

Fans will be eager to see how the team adapts to these challenges as it looks ahead to the 2025 AFCON tournament.

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take action against Libya following the Super Eagles’ troubling experience during their recent trip for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

President Tinubu praised the Nigerian players for their resilience despite facing significant difficulties in Libya.

After the team’s return, the president expressed his thoughts through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

“The President commends the swift coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate situation and ensuring the safe return of our players,” the statement read.

President Tinubu also applauded the Super Eagles for maintaining their high spirits despite the ordeal, adding that their perseverance was commendable.

He further emphasized the unifying power of football, expressing disappointment in the Nigerian team’s treatment in Libya. “Football brings nations and people together, and the unsportsmanlike and inhumane treatment of our players is in stark contrast to the spirit of the game, which I deeply value,” Tinubu remarked.

The Nigerian leader called on football enthusiasts and administrators to unite and work collaboratively to prevent such incidents in the future, stressing the importance of ensuring respect and fairness in the sport.

With this statement, Tinubu hopes to rally support for a positive resolution and prevent similar occurrences in African football.

The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has threatened legal action against Nigeria after the Super Eagles withdrew from their scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matchday four fixture.

The Super Eagles were left stranded at Al Abraq Airport for several hours upon their arrival in Libya for the AFCON qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights, citing safety concerns as the reason for their withdrawal.

In response, the LFF issued a strong statement accusing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of failing to cooperate.

“The Libyan Football Federation condemns the actions taken by the Nigerian Football Federation, particularly their refusal to play the scheduled Libya-Nigeria AFCON qualifying match on Tuesday, October 15. We will take all necessary legal measures to protect the interests of the Libyan national team,” the LFF’s statement read.

The LFF also compared the situation to their own experience during the first leg of the qualifier in Nigeria, where they claimed to have endured challenges beyond their control but still fulfilled their obligation to play. The LFF criticized the NFF for mismanaging both the home and away fixtures.

“The Nigerian federation’s lack of cooperation regarding both matches is deeply concerning. While we faced significant obstacles in the first leg, we still played the game out of respect for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and fair competition,” the LFF added.

Additionally, the LFF apologized to Libyan fans for the confusion and delay in the match arrangements, placing the blame squarely on the NFF’s actions.

“We sincerely apologize to Libyan football fans and other parties involved in the match arrangements for the disruption caused by the Nigerian Football Federation, which led to the match not being held on time,” the statement concluded.

As tensions rise between the two federations, the LFF appears determined to seek legal recourse while the future of the qualifier remains uncertain.