Nigeria has once again secured a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking their 21st appearance in the continent's premier football competition. The Super Eagles clinched the ticket with a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan. Despite tough weather conditions and a resilient Benin side, the match had a historic moment as Victor Osimhen’s late goal put Nigeria ahead in the group and added to his personal achievements.
The biggest highlight of the night came in the 81st minute when Osimhen’s well-placed header from a cross by Moses Simon soared past Benin's goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou, tying Osimhen’s goal tally with that of Nigerian football legend, Olusegun Odegbami. With 23 goals in 37 matches, Osimhen now stands as Nigeria's joint-second highest all-time scorer alongside Odegbami. Both players are only behind the late Rashidi Yekini, who holds the record with 37 goals.
The game was a battle of two halves. Benin took the lead in the 16th minute through Mohamed Tijani, who capitalized on a precise cross by Junior Olaitan. The Cheetahs controlled possession, testing Nigeria's defense and creating multiple goal-scoring opportunities, but Stanley Nwabali, the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, managed several crucial saves to keep Nigeria within striking distance.
As the match progressed, Nigeria pushed forward, with players like Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman threatening Benin's defense. Osimhen's near-miss just before halftime raised the tension, but the Nigerian forward stayed focused, and his persistence paid off with the equalizing header in the closing minutes. This goal not only sealed Nigeria’s spot as group leaders but also maintained their unbeaten record in the qualification campaign.
With Nigeria set to face Rwanda in their final group game in Uyo, Coach Augustine Eguavoen expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, especially in challenging conditions. He credited the Super Eagles for their resilience, stating, "It was a tough game, and I congratulate the players for their spirited display. The downpour made things difficult, but I’m glad we’ve secured our place in Morocco ahead of the last game." Rwanda will now need a win over Nigeria and a favorable result between Libya and Benin to have a shot at the second qualification ticket in Group D.
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