By Albert Akota
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finally approved a request by Nigeria to have their Africa Cup of Nations first leg qualifier against Libya shifted to a new date and venue.
Report reveals that the confirmation from CAF came in a formal notification to Libyan Football Federation (LFF) that the first leg of their double-qualifier against Nigeria will now hold at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, October 13.
The formal notification from CAF to LFF in effect confirms that the will no longer hold at Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on October 12, while the reverse fixture in the Group E tussle between both countries for 2019 AFCON tickets will now be on October 16 in Tunisia.
This is a major victory for Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, who repeatedly expressed concerns about the small size of Ahmadu Bello Stadium pitch.
Rohr buttressed his worries when he met top shots of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018 in London on September 24.
Incidentally, while the Franco-German feared that the ABS pitch is not up to standard and his players would not be comfortable playing on the turf, NFF top shots had already expressed worries about possible overcrowding by fans at the stadium in Kaduna.
It would be recalled that CAF slammed Nigeria with a $5,000 fine for allowing excess spectators at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium for an AFCON qualifier against Egypt in March 2016.
Meanwhile, Libya head coach, Adel Amrouche, has named a 22-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
Top on the list of the squad released by Amrouche is Crotone of Italy star, Ahmad Benali, who once represented England at the U-17 level.
Other big names on the list are Ali Al Musrati who plays for Portuguese club, Vitoria Guimarães, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi of New York City FC and Desportivo Alves player, Hamdou Elhouni.
The The Mediterranean Knights will face the Super Eagles in a matchday-three encounter at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo on October 13.
They will host the three-time African champions three day later in the return fixture in Sfax, Tunisia.
Libya occupies top position in Group E of the 2019 AFCON qualifier with four points from two games. South Africa are second with same number of points but have an inferior goal difference.
The Super Eagles sit in third position with three points, while Seychelles who lost their opening two games are yet to pick a point.
