Super Eagles set to depart Libya after airport delay

Libya ponders petition to CAS Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, believes justice has been served, and that the team is closer to securing the ticket to their 21st appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to rule in Nigeria’s favour, the disputed AFCON qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to mutually part ways with captain KL Rahul ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The IPL governing council has set October 31 as the deadline for teams to submit their list of retained and released players from the current squad. According to a report in Cricbuzz, Rahul has expressed his desire to leave LSG after his request to bat in the middle-order was declined by the management owing to composition and dynamics.

Despite their inability to play in the last round of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series following CAF’s decision to call off their game against Libya, the Super Eagles have moved up three places in the latest FIFA rankings.   In the October World ranking released, yesterday, by FIFA, the team moved to the 36th position from the previous 39th, gaining 1,503.29 points within the period under review.   The Super Eagles defeated Libya 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo, on October 11, but the return leg of the tie scheduled for Benghazi, Libya on October 15 was called off following the Libyans’ alleged ill-treatment of the Nigerian delegation two days before the game.   African football governing body, CAF is expected to rule on the botched game this week. Nigeria’s new FIFA ranking also reflects on the Super Eagles’ position in Africa, as they are now the fourth-best team in the continent, up from last month’s sixth position.    Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt are the three leading teams in that order.  Argentina, France (second), and Spain (third) are still the leading teams in the world, followed by England (fourth), Brazil (fifth) and Belgium (sixth).

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved up by three spots to place world 36th in the October FIFA ranking.

Cup holders Nigeria know they must attain a different shape and be at their very best when they confront the Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, if they are not to exit this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship at the group stage.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially delisted the Group D second-leg match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, which was scheduled for Tuesday in Benghazi.