Nigeria’s Super Eagles are just one point away from securing their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, as they prepare to face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a highly anticipated qualifying match on Thursday night at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Nigerian squad enters this crucial clash after being awarded three points in their October 26 match against Libya, which was abandoned due to circumstances beyond their control. The Super Eagles are topping Group D with 10 points from four games, leading Benin Republic, who sit second with six points. Rwanda trails close behind with five points, while Libya lags at the bottom with a single point.
This fixture also serves as a reunion for Nigeria and Benin, who last clashed in September in Uyo, where Nigeria triumphed 3-0, powered by goals from Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. Ahead of the game, Super Eagles’ caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced a strong 23-man squad, which includes Osimhen, who returns after recovering from an injury.
Borno Junior League co-founder Isa Saleh and former TTC Football Academy coach Emmanuel Brown have expressed optimism in Nigeria’s chances, with Saleh forecasting a challenging but favorable match and Brown highlighting Nigeria’s potent attack led by Osimhen, Boniface, and Lookman.
With just a point required from their last two games to confirm their qualification, Nigeria aims to join other confirmed qualifiers like Algeria, Senegal, and Egypt in Morocco next year. As the Super Eagles ready themselves for a challenging match on Francophone soil, fans across the continent will be closely watching for an exciting display of skill, strategy, and determination.
