The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifications begin this weekend with a match between Rwanda and Libya at the 11 June Stadium in Tripoli on Wednesday night.
Powerhouses from Africa, Nigeria and Benin, are also included in the group.
Their first meeting takes place on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
After putting on a strong performance to defeat Botswana 1-0 in a friendly match played at this site over the weekend, Libya will enter their first AFCON qualifying match in high spirits.
The Mediterranean Knights scored with their one and only real scoring opportunity of the match, demonstrating their strong defensive play.
They gave up just three shots on goal, none of which appeared likely to be in the goal. Libya will compete in their eleventh AFCON qualifying campaign this year.
Despite this, they have only made it to the main draw three times, the most recent being in the 2011–12 competition.
Rwanda, on the other hand, will be looking to make significant progress in this qualifying campaign after finishing last in the last edition and losing all six of their group-stage games.
Players to watch
Ali Yousef’s red card against Mauritius at the beginning of June prevented him from playing in the World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde, but he will be able to rejoin the Libyan team this week.
The Club Africain centre back is anticipated to return right away to the starting lineup, where he will partner with Magdy Artiba in central defence.
Mohamed Al-Takbali and Abdelaziz Ali round out the back four.
Wednesday marked the first training session for six of the ten professional players who are currently playing overseas, including Arthur Gitego of AFC Leopards and Bonheur Mugisha of AS Marsa in Tunisia.
Three players are up for selection this week: Steve Rubanguka of Saudi team Al Nonjoom, Innocent Nshuti of US third-tier team One Knoxville, and Thierry Manzi of Al Ahli.
Libya Starting XI
Al Woheshi, Al Dhawi, Ali, Yousef, Arteeba, Al Qulaib, Al Badri, Al Shremi, Al Khouja, Ekrawa, Salama
Rwanda Starting XI
Ntwari, Niyomugabo, Manzi, Mutsinzi, Mugisha, Rubanguka, Kwizera, Bizimana, Omborenga, Muhire, Nshuti