
Preview: Libya vs. Equatorial Guinea
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.
Preview: Libya vs. Eq Guinea – prediction, team news, lineups
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.
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 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:
WLLLL
Libya form (all competitions):
LLWLLL
Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:
LWWWW
Equatorial Guinea form (all competitions):
LWDLWWW
We say: Libya 0-2 Equatorial Guinea
With top-spot potentially on the line, we expect Equatorial Guinea to come out guns blazing at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Wednesday. They take on a struggling Libyan side, who have also lost each of their last three encounters, and we fancy them picking up all three points once again.