The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their spot at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco after a 1-1 draw against Benin at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday night.
Benin took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohamed Tijani headed home a well-delivered corner from Junior Olaitan. Despite creating several chances, Nigeria trailed at halftime, with Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon both testing the Benin defense.
In the second half, Nigeria ramped up their attacking efforts. Their persistence paid off in the 81st minute when Osimhen expertly connected with Simon’s cross, heading in the equalizer. Benin pushed hard to regain the lead, but Nigeria’s defense held strong to secure the draw.
This result confirmed Nigeria’s unbeaten run in Group D and their qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 with a match to spare. The Super Eagles had already secured their place earlier in the day, thanks to Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda, which guaranteed their progression before the match against Benin.
Benin remains in contention for qualification but must achieve a positive result in their final group game against Libya to keep their hopes alive.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, congratulated the Super Eagles, commending their hard work, commitment, and talent. Dikko emphasized that the early qualification is a testament to the team’s determination and sets the stage for a strong preparation for the tournament in Morocco.
 2025 in Morocco after a 1-1 draw against Benin){kind=link}