AFCON: Libya Appoints New Coach To Play Nigeria

Ahead of the Nation’s Cup Qualifiers clash between Nigeria and Libya on Friday, October 11 at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, the Libya Football Federation has appointed its former assistant coach, Nasser Al-Hadiri, to take over the affairs of their national team.

Al-Hadiri succeeds Serbian tactician Milutin Sredojevic, who was dismissed following the team’s poor start to the qualifying series earlier this month.

President of the Libya Football Federation Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani said, “The LFF had already concluded its agreement on everything with national coach Al-Hadiri to take over the training of the Libyan national team, as the new coach has great experience at the technical level and previously held the position of assistant coach with the Spaniard Javier Clemente in the Libyan national team in 2014.”

According to a Libyan publication, Libyan observer Al-Hadiri will be assisted by Abu Bakr Al-Harak, while Misbah Shangab will be the goalkeeper trainer.

• Also read: Frank Onyeka Credits AFCON For Fitness Level

Al-Hadiri’s first task will be to reignite their campaign in the qualifiers against Nigeria when they face the Super Eagles in Uyo on Friday, October 11, before the return leg in the city of Benina on Tuesday, October 15.

The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday announced that Libya will host the Super Eagles at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium.

The 10,000-caoacity facility is located in the city of Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi previously known as Hugo Chávez Stadium, the stadium also has an artificial turf.

The Mediterranean Knights are currently bottom of the qualifying Group D with one point after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Rwanda before losing 2-1 against the Benin Republic in Ivory Coast.

Nigeria is topping the group  with four points after a win over Benin Republic 3-0 in Uyo and a goalless draw against Rwanda.