Output in Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, fell by 155,000 bpd to 4.112 million bpd, per OPEC’s secondary sources in the report. However, that’s still more than 100,000 bpd higher compared to Iraq’s pledge to keep output capped at around 4 million bpd. In September, the Kingdom’s crude oil production averaged 8.971 million bpd, down by 23,000 bpd from August. Among the non-OPEC producers part of the OPEC+ agreement, crude oil production averaged 14.06 million bpd in September, up by 47,000 bpd compared to August. Kazakhstan’s production rose by 75,000 bpd to 1.545 million bpd in September, per the secondary sources.

By: Nana Kwame BediakoThe Black Stars, have touched down in Libya, setting the stage for an intense showdown against Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Black Stars are no strangers to success, having clinched the AFCON title four times in the past. However, their current position in the qualifiers underscores the need for a strategic approach to the upcoming match against Sudan. With only a few days left before the crucial game on Tuesday, October 15, the Black Stars are focused on refining their strategies and building team cohesion. The match against Sudan is not just about securing points; it’s an opportunity for the Black Stars to demonstrate their resilience and skill on the international stage.

The Nigeria national team, Super Eagles, were literally held hostage at the airport on arrival in Libya ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights. At the time of this report, the Super Eagles contingent had spent more than five hours locked up at the airport, with NFF officials forced to scramble for alternative transport arrangements. SUPPORT NOW x Do this laterHowever, the NFF swiftly refuted these allegations, citing last-minute changes to Libya’s arrival plans, which were communicated merely three hours before landing. The Super Eagles secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the first leg match in Uyo and now face the Mediterranean Knights at Benina Stadium in the return leg. Despite the antics of the Libyans, the Super Eagles are determined to teach them football lessons on the pitch.

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's soccer players said on Monday they will boycott their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Libya, after being stranded overnight at Al Abraq Airport in what the team captain described as “mind games.”Authorities in Libya, however, denied it was sabotage. The first leg, which Nigeria won 1-0 on Friday, involved similar accusations of sabotage from the Libya team. All to play mind games.”“As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game,” he added. The Libyan team accused its opponent of maltreatment ahead of the first leg, an allegation the Nigerian Football Federation denied. Nigeria’s sports minister John Owan Enoh said he had instructed the soccer federation to send a formal complaint to the continent's soccer body.

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s soccer players said on Monday they will boycott their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Libya, after being stranded overnight at Al Abraq Airport in what the team captain described as “mind games.”Authorities in Libya, however, denied it was sabotage. The first leg, which Nigeria won 1-0 on Friday, involved similar accusations of sabotage from the Libya team. Team captain William Troost-Ekong said the plane had been due to land at Benghazi Airport but was diverted at the last minute to Al Abraq some 220 kilometers (136 miles) away. The Libyan team accused its opponent of maltreatment ahead of the first leg, an allegation the Nigerian Football Federation denied. Nigeria’s sports minister John Owan Enoh said he had instructed the soccer federation to send a formal complaint to the continent’s soccer body.

For starters, it is important to note that like Nigeria, Libya has one of Africa’s largest oil reserves. So what the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Libya’s state oil company, does is to import fuel at market prices and sell it to citizens at a heavily discounted rate. Fuel smuggling in Libya is worth at least $5bn and incidentally, Russia, the same country where oil products are imported into the North African country is said to be the beneficiary of black market fuel. He was quoted as far back as January 2024 by his media office as saying that the fuel subsidy system was “a drain on the state budget”. This is where Libya has found itself today but a section of the media in Nigeria prefers to paint a rosy picture to unsuspecting Nigerians.

Libyan fans are agitated with the poor treatment allegedly received by the Mediterranean Knights on arrival in Nigeria for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against the Super Eagles. The Mediterranean Knights captain, Faisal Al-Badri alleged poor treatment from their Nigerian hosts. Al-Badri claimed that Nigerian officials frustrated what should have been a smooth travelling experience for the Libyan team. The supporters, according to Libya News Today, now want the Football Federation to take strict measures in the second leg. AFCON 2025 qualifier: Libyan fans demand strict measures against Super EaglesDo you want to share a story with us?

‎Libya’s state National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported today that its Al-Sarir Oil Operations Company succeeded in maintaining five oil wells, two of which returned to security and safety levels, and restored production in the B22 and B15 wells at a rate of more than 1,000 barrels per day each.‎‎Well B22 had been out of service for technical reasons since the company took over operating duties from the previous operator (foreign partner) in late 2020.‎‎Al-Sarir also completed the maintenance of three other wells without the need for the use of rigs, with the aim of reducing associated water production, resulting in an increase in oil production by 2,000 barrels per day from wells B14, B24 and B46.‎

Photo by Icon SportWith the Super Eagles now sitting at the top of Group D, they head into the return leg in Benina with renewed confidence. Super Eagles expect hostile crowd in LibyaEkong noted that the team’s experience from the first encounter will help them approach the Libyan side with better preparation. “I think we were superior today, and the experience we gained from the first game should prepare us better for the second game, “Ekong said. “We won't have our lovely fans here to cheer us on, so it is going to be very hostile there”. The Super Eagles maintain their position at the top of the group with seven points, one point clear of Benin Republic, who recorded a 3-0 victory over Rwanda in the other group fixture.

Stanley Nwabali, the goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, made fun of Libya’s national team for their idle antics during Friday’s Group D AFCON 2025 qualifier in Uyo. Nwabali used a laughing emoji on his X account to comment in pidgin on the Libyans’ time-wasting strategies:“Who come wise pass? ,” which translates to mean ‘Who is now the wisest’, referring to how the Libyans tried to play smart by time wasting. The Eagles’ next scheduled travel is to Benghazi, where they will play Libya in the second leg on Tuesday, October 15. After three games, Libya is at the bottom of Group D with just one point, while the Eagles lead with seven points.

Despite the hard-fought victory, here are four key takeaways from the Nigeria vs Libya game in Uyo. The Super Eagles need to start right off the blocksIt took the Super Eagles nearly ten minutes to settle into the game and register a shot on goal. The Victor Boniface puzzle needs to be solvedBayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface struggled to make an impact and looked isolated for most of the game before being substituted for Taiwo Awoniyi. Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi have been mainstays in the Super Eagles midfield for about seven years, but their recent performances have been more underwhelming than impactful. 🙌🔥In only his fifth international appearance for Nigeria, the midfielder has already netted two crucial goals for the Super Eagles.

A Dele Bashiru 87th minute strike was enough for the Nigeria’s Super Eagles to claim a 3 point against the Mediterranean knight of Libya. Dele who was introduced in the second half converted a long cross from Moses Simon in the late minute to seal the victory. The Super Eagles will now face Libya in the return leg on October 15. Details later…

Moses Simon – 8/10The Nantes winger was a constant threat, tormenting the Libyan defense. Victor Boniface – 5/10The Bayer Leverkusen striker had a decent game but struggled to break through the Libyan defense before being substituted. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – 7/10The Lazio midfielder replaced Iwobi and grabbed the winning goal just minutes before the end of regular time. Taiwo Awoniyi – 3/10The Nottingham Forest striker replaced Boniface but was effectively shut down by the Libyan defense. Raphael Onyedika – 3/10The Club Brugge midfielder came on for Ndidi but didn’t make much of an impact.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has called on Mediterranean leaders not to forget their “moral imperative to advocate for a two-state solution” with regards to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Abela was speaking at a Med9 summit in Cyprus, where he reiterated Malta's call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza. On the Mediterranean’s specific challenges, Abela welcomed the creation of an EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, stating that this shows EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recognition of the region’s realities. Abela emphasised that Libya must be an integral part of these efforts, stating that Libya is a key partner in tackling migration challenges. He stressed that there can be no solution to Europe’s migration challenges without addressing the Mediterranean challenges.

A dominant performance by the Super Eagles was capped off by a well-taken goal by the Lazio midfielder who had replaced Alex Iwobi in the 74th minute. Nigeria vs Libya: How it happenedNigeria's interim head coach, Austin Eguavoen, has made two changes to the lineup that faced Rwanda last month. The Super Eagles' first threatening attempt occurred in the 28th minute when Frank Onyeka's shot was parried by the Libyan goalkeeper, Murad Al Wureeshi. Nigeria vs Libya: Super Eagles maintain top spotThe Super Eagles have solidified their standing in the table, with Friday's victory marking two wins in their last three matches..Nigeria began their campaign with a 3-0 home victory over Benin, followed by a 0-0 draw with Rwanda just days later. Photo by IMAGOThe Super Eagles will next face Libya in a reverse fixture on Tuesday, October 15, at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium.