Nigeria qualify for 2025 AFCON before Benin Republic game

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Nigeria’s spot at the next AFCON was confirmed after Libya defeated Rwanda 1-0 on Thursday at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali.

The Eagles qualified for the competition with two games to spare. The team is billed to play the Benin Republic less than 30 after the match involving the other two teams in the group.

Nigeria are the leaders in Group D of the qualification with 10 points, followed by the Benin Republic with six points. Only the top two teams qualify for the group.

With the loss to Libya, Rwanda are on five points in third place, with just one game left to play. Libya are sitting at the bottom of the group with four points.

The Super Eagles started the qualification campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Benin Republic in the first leg of the encounter before playing a frustrating draw against Rwanda.

In the third game, Nigeria grabbed a late winner against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo. The second leg of the clash against Libya was never held.

The return leg was to be played at Benghazi, but the Nigerian national team’s flight was diverted to Al Abaq airport, and the players and coaches were held for over 20 hours without food and drinks.

The Eagles later withdrew from the qualifying match and returned home. Libya’s action attracted the wrath of CAF, and the country forfeited the game and was fined $50,000. Nigeria was also awarded three points and three goals.

However, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has appealed the CAF decision. The outcome of the appeal could still alter the group’s situation.

The Eagles will face the Benin Republic by 8 pm. Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho are among the players named in Nigeria’s starting line-up for the game.