Osamagbe Imadiyi
Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday guaranteed them the top spot in Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualification series.
Victor Osimhen, a striker on loan from Napoli, gave Nigeria a point in the 81st minute after the home team had already taken the lead through a header in the first half. Following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in the group’s second match in Kigali earlier on Thursday, Nigeria’s record now stands at an unbeatable 11 points in the group, guaranteeing their place in the tournament in Morocco.
In the 16th minute, defender Mohamed Tijani headed in between Stanley Nwabali’s legs from a well-worked corner kick to give Genort Rohr’s team the lead. Nigeria had not yet given up a goal before playing the Cheetahs in Abidjan.
Osimhen missed Nigeria’s best opportunity of the first half when he headed wide from Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, but he had a good chance to tie the score before halftime. Rohr, the former coach of the Eagles, attempted to orchestrate another masterclass against his old team, but the Cheetahs were unfortunate not to have doubled their lead at either half.
The Super Eagles were fortunate to have only given up one goal during the match, and Osimhen’s header—which was harder than the one he missed in the first half—was the game-winning header that put them back in it.
Nigeria will now play for pride in their final match against Rwanda on Monday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. However, their opponents will try to pull off an upset and secure the group’s final ticket.
