They’ll Make It Hard for Us – Ekong Prepares for The Dark Arts in Libya

Super Eagles captain, William Troost Ekong has emphasized that the team is ready for a tougher challenge in the return fixture against Libya, on October 11, during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

On Friday, Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo, thanks to a late goal from substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 86th minute.

Despite the win, Ekong acknowledged the difficulties posed by the Libyan side, who adopted a defensive strategy and resorted to time-wasting tactics throughout the match.

“I think we knew we would be superior today, but we had to take the game like a big puzzle trying to solve the problem on how we can get the chances,” Ekong said in the post-match conference.

“And now the experience from the first game should prepare us better for the second game.”

“I think it will be something similar and probably be more difficult because we won’t have our lovely fans here to cheer us on so it going to be very hostile there.”

He also acknowledged the challenges of playing in Libya.

“I presume the referee would be difficult, the crowd would be difficult, they will try and make it as hard as they can for us but we will be ready and we will learn from the mistakes we made today.

“And we just need to be more clinical and try to convert even half chances to goals.”

Ekong expressed confidence that if Nigeria could have capitalized on their chances in the first half, the game could have opened up significantly

“I think if we would have managed to score in the first half which I had one or two chances as well then I think the game would have opened up but we will try and focus on that for the next game.”

As Nigeria currently sits at the top of the group table, another victory against Libya will put them within a game of securing their qualification for the 2025 AFCON.