The journey to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been far from easy for Nigeria, but Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi reveals one particular match stands out as the toughest.
Despite Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the qualifiers, the Super Eagles were pushed to their limits in a fixture that tested their resolve mentally more than physically, Footballrover reports.
However, Nigeria secured their spot in the tournament with two games to spare, thanks in part to Rwanda’s defeat to Libya.
With 10 points from their first four matches, Nigeria remained on top of Group D, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Benin.
But then, the road to qualification wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Wilfred Ndidi reflects on a memorable qualification campaign
The encounter against Libya, in particular, became one of the most challenging moments for the Super Eagles.
Ndidi, reflecting on the campaign, admitted that the Libya game was mentally draining, even though it was not physically intense.
The delay tactics used by the Libyan side in Uyo made it particularly taxing on the players, contributing to an emotional toll.
The reverse fixture was marked by off-field controversy, with Libya delaying the arrival of the Nigerian squad and employing disruptive tactics that ultimately led to the game’s cancellation.
As a result, CAF awarded Nigeria a 3-0 victory, a crucial boost to their qualification efforts.
Speaking on Nigeria’s qualification, Ndidi expressed pride in the team’s achievement.
“The hardest game? I would say one of the hardest games, I will say the Libyan game, because physically it was not difficult but mentally it was difficult because of the whole delay tactics.
“I would have said the last game against Benin, but we knew Benin is like a physical team; I will say the Libyan game is like one of them; it was draining mentally, so I will say the Libya game,” Wilfred Ndidi told Victor Modo.
The Super Eagles secured top spot in their group, maintaining an unbeaten record with three wins and two draws.
For the 27-year-old midfielder, the AFCON qualifier was more than just a goal—it showed their resilience and determination.
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