Nigeria sealed the top position in Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualification series after playing a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
On loan, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen salvaged a point for Nigeria with an 81st-minute header after the hosts had taken the lead courtesy of a header as well in the first half.
The result took Nigeria’s tally to an unassailable 11 points in the group, having sealed their spot for the tournament in Morocco after Libya defeated Rwanda 1-0 in the group’s second match in Kigali earlier on Thursday.
Nigeria were yet to concede before facing the Cheetahs in Abidjan, but they were breached in the 16th minute with defender Mohamed Tijani heading in between Stanley Nwabali’s legs from a well-worked corner kick to give Genort Rohr’s men the lead.
Osimhen had a good chance to bring Nigeria level before the break, but he headed wide from Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, missing Nigeria’s best chance of the first half.
Former Eagles coach Rohr tried to mastermind another masterclass against his former team, but the Cheetahs were unlucky not to have doubled their lead at both halves.
The Super Eagles were lucky not to have conceded more than one goal in the encounter, and they finally got themselves back in the game through Osimhen’s header, which was more difficult than the one he missed in the first half.
It was not the best of performances from Austin Eguavoen’s men, but the result was enough to secure the top spot for Nigeria in Group D, leaving the Benin Republic, who are on seven points, Rwanda with five points, and Libya with four points jostling for the last available ticket going into the final matchday.
Nigeria will now play for cheer pride in their last game against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday, but their opponents will look to cause an upset and grab the final ticket in the group.
The other group match will also see the Cheetahs travel to face the Libya.