Benin Republic vs Nigeria: What Super Eagles require to seal AFCON 2025 qualification

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Benin Republic vs Nigeria: What Super Eagles require to seal AFCON 2025 qualification

Ayoola Kelechi 20:00 - 12.11.2024

Nigeria's Super Eagles are yet to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco

As Nigeria gears up for a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic, the Super Eagles could seal a place in Morocco 2025 with the right results.

As things stand

Nigeria enters Thursday’s fixture at the top of Group D with ten points after being granted three points and three goals by CAF for their ordeal in Libya last month.

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The Super Eagles players and staff were effectively held hostage at a Libyan airport without support for more than 15 hours, forcing the cancellation of their match against the North African side, and CAF’s ethics committee eventually found in favour of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s 10-point tally leaves them four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic and five points ahead of Rwanda in third place.

Calvin Bassey (left) and Ademola Lookman (middle) in the Super Eagles.

They can no longer be caught by Libya, who are bottom of the group with one point, but with two games left, the Super Eagles are still within reach for Benin Republic and Rwanda, meaning qualification for Morocco 2025 is not yet assured.

What do the Super Eagles need for AFCON qualification?

With only two teams qualifying for the final phase of the 2025 AFCON tournament, Nigeria still needs to open up an unassailable lead over either Benin Republic or Rwanda.

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While they currently hold a five-point lead over Rwanda in third place, the Super Eagles still need at least a point from their final two games of the qualifying series to seal a place in the top two of the group and qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

However, a win over Benin Republic in Abidjan will guarantee that Nigeria finishes at the top of Group D ahead of the Leopards and Rwanda, allowing them to approach their final group-stage match against Amavubi with ease.

Victor Osimhen celebrates with Wilfred Ndidi after scoring for Nigeria against Benin |Photo Credit: Imago

Following the game against Benin in Abidjan, the Super Eagles will travel back to Nigeria, where they will host Rwanda on November 18 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.