Nigeria draw Benin as they qualify for 2025 AFCON with a game to spare

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Victor Osimhen scored as Nigeria played a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic and also qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with one game in hand.

Yverdon-Sport defender Muhamed Tijani headed home the opener in the 16th minute much to the excitement of the home support. Troyes midfielder Junior Olaitan Ishola assisted Tijani’s goal with a fine cross into the box. That goal is the first Nigeria has conceded so far in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

After missing series of chances, the Super Eagles eventually found their way back into the game in the 81st minute. Substitute Moses Simon found Osimhen in the 18-yard area and the Galatasaray striker’s tricky header beat Marcel Dandjinou in goal.

How Nigeria’s Super Eagles qualified for the 2025 AFCON

The Super Eagles needed just one point to seal qualification and were able to do just that after avoiding defeat.

In the first match of the qualification series back in September, Nigeria walloped Benin 3-0 before playing a goalless draw with Rwanda. A 1-0 win against Libya followed before Nigeria were unable to play their match in the return leg in Libya. This was due to hostile and unwelcoming behaviour of their host country.

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After being stranded for close to 24 hours at an abandoned airport, the players and officials were able to find their way home. Following an investigation, the Confederation of Africa Football through its disciplinary committee, found Libya guilty of misconduct and unsportsmanlike behaviour. The football-governing body fined the north Africans while awarding Nigeria all three points.

With 10 points guaranteed from four matches, Nigeria was guaranteed a top two finish in Group D ahead of the matchday 5 match against Benin.

In the penultimate round of fixtures played on Thursday, Nigeria was among five countries that qualified for the 2025 AFCON.

Tunisia scored an injury time winner to edge Madagascar 3-2 and qualify for a record-extending 17th consecutive continental showpiece appearance.

In the same vein, Gabon, South Africa and Uganda all secured qualification as well even without playing. This comes after results in their respective groups favoured them.

As it stands, any of Benin (7pts), Rwanda (5pts), and Libya (4pts) can still qualify for the AFCON 2025 tournament scheduled to be hosted by Morocco.

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