Super substitute Dele-Bashiru gives Nigeria a late win over Libya

The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a crucial 1-0 win over Libya in their AFCON 2025 qualifier on Friday evening thanks to a late goal from substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

In the dramatic game in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Dele-Bashiru stole the limelight by scoring a late-game winner that gave Nigeria a hard-fought victory.

The substitute midfielder made an immediate impact, scoring the equalizer in the 86th minute after a tense, subdued exchange.

PUNCH Online reports that the Eagles will play the second leg away in Libya on Tuesday, October 15th.

The Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game and faced a stubborn Libyan defense that absorbed waves of Nigerian pressure.

With time running out and frustration mounting, Nigeria launched a rapid counter-attack, with the German-born player finishing with precision and calmly firing home to send the Uyo crowd into a frenzy.

The win boosts Nigeria's qualification hopes and the on-loan Lazio midfielder's late heroics underline his growing importance in the squad.

To Libya's credit, it put up a brave fight, but Nigeria's persistence paid off in the final moments.

The win keeps the Super Eagles firmly on course for a place in the 2025 AFCON, with the 23-year-old becoming the unlikely hero of the evening.

Earlier, in the 70th minute, Samuel Chukwueze missed a one-on-one chance that could have given Nigeria the lead.

Ademola Lookman thought he had doubled Nigeria's lead in the 83rd minute but his goal was canceled for offside.

PUNCH Online reports that Nigeria leads the Group D table with seven points, closely followed by Rwanda who have picked up six points from three games played.

Rwanda has two points while Libya is bottom with one point.

PUNCH Online reports that Benin defeated Rwanda 3-0 on Friday evening.

The Super Eagles relied on Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon to attack Libya in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after Victor Osimhen was injured.

Lookman and Boniface played prominent roles in the Eagles' last two games against Benin Republic in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Rwanda in Kigali.

Simon, who came on as a substitute in both games, started in place of Samuel Chukwueze.

Stanley Nwabali continued as goalkeeper while Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Bruno Onyemaechi and Calvin Bassey formed the defensive line.

In midfield, coach Austin Eguavoen opted for Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi to strengthen the three-time African champions' midfield.