'As long as all the players are on same page' - Dele-Bashiru warns against complacency pre-Libya

Libya are a much inferior side to Nigeria, but Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru believes that they cannot afford to underrate the Mediterranean Knights ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures against them.

Libya have amassed just one point in their opening two games, having drawn with Rwanda in the opening fixture before losing to Benin at the Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

As a result, they sit bottom of the group  and will have to avoid defeat against Nigeria to boost their chances of qualifying for the next AFCON.

With four points garnered from their opening two games, the Super Eagles sit atop Group D and will be seeking to strengthen their chances of qualifying for AFCON.

Speaking in an interview with AdemolaVictorTv ahead of Friday's game, Dele-Bashiru said the three-time African champions can't afford to underestimate Libya.

"One thing I always say is you cannot overlook any team when it comes to football. It's 11v11. If you're not 100 percent going into the game, for sure your opponent is going to be 100% so you always have to make sure you are switched-on."

Dele-Bashiru continued: "For the game, as long as we do what the coach wants from us, as long as all the players are on the same page and we give one hundred percent, then I feel like we should win both games.

"And that should help us sit comfortably at the top of the table."

The Manchester City academy product is one of the least experienced players in Nigeria's squad, having just made his debut a year ago.

He couldn't make the squad for the last AFCON but has been in the squad for the last four games, starting twice, one of which was in the last fixture against Rwanda.

The 23-year-old will he pushing to make it back-to-back starts for the first time in his international career against the Mediterranean Knights on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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