Wilfred Ndidi, a key figure in Nigeria's midfield, has shared insight into what he considers the most challenging match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
While the Super Eagles have remained unbeaten so far, the road to qualification has not been smooth, with one game standing out as particularly tough according to Leicester City star.
Nigeria secured their place in the upcoming tournament, thanks to a combination of solid performances and some external factors, including Rwanda’s loss to Libya.
The Super Eagles accumulated 10 points from their first four matches, leaving them comfortably ahead of their closest competitor, Benin.
The Libya fixture: Ndidi's mental strain in AFCON qualifier
Their unbeaten streak includes three wins and two draws, putting them at the top of Group D with a game in hand.
However, off-the-pitch challenges also played a significant role in the qualifiers, particularly during the second-leg encounter with Libya.
Upon arrival in the North African country, Nigeria’s squad faced severe delays and refusal of entry, leading to the match being cancelled.
As a result, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded the Super Eagles three points, aiding their qualification.
Reflecting on the tough moments, Wilfred Ndidi singled out the match against Libya as the most mentally draining.
Although the first fixture in Uyo was physically less demanding, the Premier League star noted that the prolonged delay tactics employed by the Libyans took a toll on the team's mental stamina.
Ndidi, who started all four of Nigeria's qualifiers, acknowledged that while the match against Benin was tough due to their physicality, the Libya fixture was the hardest.
While speaking to Victor Modo, the Nigerian midfielder said,
“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.”
