S’Eagles A Point Away From Securing AFCON Ticket

Nigeria Super Ea­gles will qualify for the 2025 Afri­ca Cup of Nations in Morocco if they avoid defeat in their qualifying game against Benin Re­public Cheetahs at the Sta­de Félix Houphouët-Boigny Abidjan this evening. The match-day five game will kickoff at 8.00pm Nige­ria time.

With Super Eagles need­ing a point from securing their spot, a win would provide an emphatic state­ment, especially in the wake of their challenging journey through the qual­ifiers. Super Eagles lead the group with 10 points from four matches, having won three and drew one; they are followed by today’s host on six points, while Rwan­da are third on five points with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya are last with a point. Consequently, Benin Republic has everything to play for, as a win would significantly bolster their chances of joining Africa’s elites in Morocco next year.



Nigeria enters this con­test on a high, having over­come both on-field and off-field challenges in their last qualifier against Libya. After a 1-0 win over Lib­ya in Uyo in October, the Super Eagles faced a bi­zarre sequence of events in the away leg when they were stranded at a Libyan airport for over 12 hours, ultimately opting to forfeit the match in protest. After a CAF investiga­tion, Nigeria were awarded the three points, a decision that sees them now leading Group D with 10 points.

For Benin, this clash rep­resents a pivotal moment. Following a loss to Nigeria in their opening match, the Cheetahs responded with back-to-back wins over Libya and Rwanda to keep their qualification hopes alive. A slip-up for today’s host could prove costly.

A win, however, would place Benin within touching distance of the 2025 AFCON, offering them momentum head­ing into their final fixture against Libya. Interestingly, Nigeria and Benin will qualify for the AFCON in the event of a Cheetahs victory and a Rwandan loss to Libya in Kigali. Historically, the Super Eagles have dominated this fixture, winning seven of their nine previous meet­ings with Benin.

Nigeria won comfortably in their last encounter, a 3-0 victory in Uyo, with Ade­mola Lookman and Victor Osimhen leading the at­tack. However, Benin hold a recent edge, having won the last time they hosted Nigeria for a World Cup qualifier in June. For Benin, a win against their more illustrious neighbours would not only push them closer to qual­ification but would also mark a significant triumph against a regional power­house.

This fixture will be the 10th competitive meeting between the two, with Be­nin hoping to tip the scales and shift history slightly in their favour. Benin could face a few se­lection headaches. Forward Matteo Ahlinvi may be sidelined due to an injury sustained while playing for his club, Vasteras, though his participation remains subject to assessment.

The Cheetahs will rely heavily on Augsburg’s Steve Mounié, who scored the decisive goal in Benin’s last home victory over Ni­geria, and Junior Olaitan of Grenoble, both of whom have been key figures in the team’s attack..