AFCON U-23 qualifier: Libya dim star-studded Nigeria

Star-studded Nigeria U-23 team could not contain their Libyan counterparts who ran away with a 2-0 victory in an Africa Cup of Nations U-23 qualifier played at the Ben Guerdane Stadium, Ben Guerdane, Tunisia, on Wednesday.

Coach Imama Amapakabo’s first eleven featured a strong team of former FIFA U-17 World Cup winners like Taiwo Awoniyi, John Lazarus, Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze, but these failed to get the desired result.

The Libyans scored their first goal as early as the sixth minute of the match, while goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar was sent off before the end of the first half for handling the ball outside of the 18-yard box.

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Reserve goalkeeper Olawale Oremade was brought on, with Dennis Bonaventure taken off to serve the one-man loss punishment.

It was a day the combination of Awoniyi and Chukwueze failed to click in front of goal. In the 53rd minute, for example, Awoniyi lost the opportunity to draw level as he fluffed a cross from Villarreal of Spain’s Chukwueze.

The Nigerians were soon punished for this as the hosts doubled their lead in the 69th minute of play, off a counter attack move.

The introduction of Chidera Ezeh, another former U-17 World Cup winner for Muyiwa Olabiran, could not make any difference.

The second leg of the first round of the AFCON U-23 qualifier will come up on Monday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

Nigeria are the defending champions of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, the next edition of which will come up in Egypt from November 8 to 22, 2019.