Super Sub Dele Bashiru saves the day for Super Eagles

Tonight in Uyo, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was the Super Sub who came off the bench to the rescue the Super Eagles with a late match winner against a stubborn Libyan side in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.

The Lazio midfielder put away a cross from the left by the hardworking Moses Simon in the 86^th minute to finally break the deadlock against Libya, who kept out the home team for most of this 2025 AFCON Group D.

The Super Eagles thus consolidated leadership of their qualifying group with seven points from three matches.

The first half belonged to the home team, but inspired goalkeeping by Murad Al Wheeshi meant both teams went into the break without any goals.

Ademola Lookman was the liveliest in the opening periods, but his threats were continuously snuffed out.

In the 28th minute, Ekong skied a rebound from a Frank Onyeka strike after a corner kick, giving the Libyans a glimmer of hope.

Some moments later, Ndidi played a good ball to Lookman, who had a short interplay, before finding Iwobi who also failed to convert.

Boniface, Iwobi, and Moses Simon all failed to convert various chances on a rather frustrating night.

The Libyans kept pushing and pushing, putting bodies on the line to stop the Super Eagles from scoring.

In the 56^th minute, Iwobi’s free header from inside the box missed target after good work from the left flank

Three minutes later, the Fulham midfielder’s spectacular half volley from deep inside the box missed its mark.

In the 71^st minute, substitute Samuel Chukwueze broke through the Libyan defence, but his final ball was again kept out by the impressive goalkeeper.

Lookman thought he had given the Super Eagles the lead late in the game, but he was denied by a rather controversial offside call, before Deke Bashiru finally did the damage to the relief of a packed stadium

Super Eagles Starting XI vs Libya (4–3-3) Stanley Nwabali – Calvin Bassey, William Ekong (Captain), Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina- Wilfred Ndidi (Raphael Onyedika 74), Frank Onyeka (Samuel Chukwueze 61), Alex Iwobi(Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 74) – Ademola Lookman (Semi Ajayi 90), Victor Boniface (Taiwo Awoniyi 74), Moses Simon