Nigeria booked their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a game to spare after a late equaliser from Victor Osimhen salvaged a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Benin.
The match began with an early blow for the Super Eagles as Mohamed Tijani put the home side ahead in the first half, sparking cheers from the crowd and putting pressure on Nigeria to respond.
The 2013 AFCON Champions pressed on with multiple efforts to restore parity, but found it difficult to break through a resolute defence at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
However, in the 81st minute, Nigeria’s talisman and Napoli-owned forward Victor Osimhen once again rose to the occasion as he found the back of the net with a well-timed strike to restore parity.
The Napoli forward’s crucial goal brought relief to Nigerian football community, who watched as their team fought to clinch the single point needed to secure qualification.
With this result, Nigeria now have 11 points, enough to guarantee their spot at AFCON 2025 in Morocco. The Super Eagles will look to conclude their campaign on a high note in their final match against Rwanda, confident of their place in Africa’s biggest tournament.
Meanwhile, following Libya’s 1-nil victory at the Kigali Stadium, Gernot Rohr and his troops he also qualified for the Biennial tournament.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
