AFCON: Libya, Equatorial Guinea draw the curtains in Group J

Libya and Equatorial Guinea draw the curtains in Group J of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they lock horns at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Wednesday.

Having won each of their last four qualifying matches, the Nzalang Nacional sit at the summit of the table and have top spot to lose as they hold a two-point lead over second-placed Tunisia.

Libya hit a new low in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Botswana when the sides met at the Obert Itani Chilume Stadium back in June.

Despite seeing a bulk of the possession and being in the ascendancy for most of the game, Hamdi Bataw’s side were guilty of a lack of sting in front of goal as Gape Mohutsiwa struck in the 45th minute to hand the hosts their first win of the qualifiers.

With that result, the Mediterranean Knights have now lost each of their four qualifying matches since kicking off the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Botswana in the Group J curtain-raiser in June 2022.

This has been owing to their struggles at the attacking end of the pitch, where they have failed to score in four straight games and have managed just one goal so far — the joint-fewest in the qualifiers alongside Madagascar and Lesotho.

Libya, whose last AFCON appearance came in 2012 when they suffered a group-stage exit, are currently rooted to the bottom of Group J and will now be looking to end the qualifiers on a winning note.

Equatorial Guinea, on the other hand, moved into the top spot in the group last time out courtesy of an impressive 1-0 victory over group favourites Tunisia at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.

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Veteran striker Emilio Nsue grabbed his 15th international goal and extended his lead at the top of the nation’s all-time scoring chart with an 85th-minute penalty to hand the visitors their first defeat of the qualifiers.

Since their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tunisia in the group opener, Equatorial Guinea have now won each of their subsequent four matches, scoring eight goals and keeping three clean sheets.

Juan Micha’s men are currently first in Group J, two points above second-placed Tunisia, and will need all three points this on Wednesday to secure top spot given the Carthage Eagles’ superior goal difference.

However, Equatorial Guinea will be backing themselves to grab the desired result as they go up against an opposing side who have lost each of the last three meetings between the nations, stretching back to a 3-0 win in January 2018.

Libya boss Bataw has called up a youthful and inexperienced 24-man squad, with 18 players earning their first call-up to the Mediterranean Knights’ senior national team.

The Al-Hilal Benghazi midfield duo of Abdulsalam Dega are among the multiple new faces, including Aseel Al-Maqsabi, Osama Al-Sareet and Al-Akhdar striker Mohamed Ayad.

Tefensive duo of Subhi Al-Dhawi and Sanad bin Ali have also made the cut, while Abdulmuyasser Bousheiba, who scored two goals in 11 Libyan Premier League games last season, could make his senior debut.

Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea have called up 22 players for their final game of the qualifiers, including Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono and Huesca midfielder Alex Balboa.

With 43 senior appearances, Federico Bikoro is the most-capped player in the Nzalang Nacional’s squad and should form the midfield trio with Santiago Eneme and 24-year-old Jannick Buyla.

At the attacking end of the pitch, Josete Miranda and Iban Salvador started in the 1-0 victory over Tunisia last time and should retain their roles in the final third, while Charles Ondo, Noe Ela, Aitor Lora and Javier Mum have all been handed their debut call-ups.

Libya possible starting lineup:
Al-Maqsabi; Salama, Amir, Jaddour, Khalil; Khouja, Al-Qulaib, Andalusi; Bousheiba, Ayad, Jalidah

Equatorial Guinea possible starting lineup:
Owono; Ndong, Anvene, Nsue, Anieboh; Bikoro, Eneme, Buyla; Salvador, Miranda, Nlavo