Libya drag Nigeria’s Super Eagles to artificial turf in Benina for AFCON 2025 qualifier

Libya’s national football team, the Knights, have chosen the Martyrs of Benina Stadium as the venue for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying showdown with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

This Matchday 4 encounter is set to take place on Tuesday, 15th October, in the city of Benina, located 19 kilometres outside Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city.

The stadium, previously known as Hugo Chávez Stadium, is a modest 10,000-capacity facility featuring an artificial pitch, a surface Nigeria may not be entirely familiar with.

Nigeria currently lead Group D in the race for a spot at the 2025 AFCON, having amassed four points from their first two matches.

They opened their campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo and followed it up with a hard-fought goalless draw against Rwanda in Kigali.

Libya, however, find themselves at the bottom of the group, having drawn 1-1 at home to Rwanda and suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles and the Knights will first meet in Uyo on Friday, 11th October, in a Matchday 3 encounter that kicks off at 5 pm Nigeria time.

Four days later, they will face off again on the artificial turf in Benina, with the game set to begin at 8 pm Nigeria time.

Libya will be looking to take full advantage of their home conditions in a bid to revive their qualification hopes, while Nigeria will aim to maintain their strong start and inch closer to securing a place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.