Nigeria’s Super Eagles were forced to settle for a draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, with Victor Osimhen’s second-half strike salvaging a point after Mohamed Tijani had put the hosts ahead in the first half.
The match, which showcased both teams’ determination to secure crucial points in their qualification campaign, saw Nigeria maintain their position at the summit of Group D despite being unable to secure all three points. The draw extends Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the qualifiers while demonstrating Benin’s growing competitiveness on the continental stage.
The Squirrels, as Benin Republic are known, showed their intent early in the match, dominating proceedings in the first half under the guidance of former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr. Their aggressive approach paid dividends when Mohamed Tijani broke the deadlock, sending the home crowd into jubilation and putting pressure on the already-qualified Super Eagles.
However, Nigeria’s resilience came to the fore in the second half when Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, continuing his impressive form on the international stage, found the equalizer. The goal highlighted Osimhen’s importance to the national team and his ability to deliver in crucial moments, further cementing his status as one of Africa’s premier forwards.
The draw maintains Nigeria’s comfortable position atop Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin Republic strengthens their grip on second place with 7 points. The result has significant implications for the group’s final standings, with Rwanda (5 points) and Libya (4 points) trailing in third and fourth positions respectively.
For Nigeria, who have already secured their ticket to the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, the match served as an opportunity to fine-tune their squad and maintain competitive momentum. Under the leadership of Austin Eguavoen, the team has shown consistency throughout the qualification campaign, though this draw highlights areas that may need attention before the continental showpiece.
The Super Eagles‘ inability to secure victory against Benin, despite their superior ranking and recent qualification, raises questions about their tactical approach and effectiveness against well-organized opposition. However, the team’s ability to fight back and secure a point away from home demonstrates their mental strength and resilience.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will conclude their qualification campaign with a home fixture against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday. While the match holds little significance for Nigeria’s qualification prospects, it represents an opportunity for Eguavoen’s side to end the campaign on a high note and potentially experiment with different tactical approaches and player combinations.
For Benin Republic, the draw against Nigeria represents a significant achievement in their quest for AFCON qualification. Under Rohr’s guidance, the team has shown marked improvement, and their performance against one of Africa’s footballing powerhouses will boost their confidence as they approach their final qualification match.
The match also highlighted the increasing competitiveness of African football, with traditional underdogs like Benin Republic showing they can compete with the continent’s elite teams. This trend bodes well for the overall development of African football and suggests that the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco could be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
As the qualification campaign enters its final stages, all eyes will be on the remaining fixtures to determine which nations will join Nigeria in Morocco. The Super Eagles’ draw against Benin serves as a reminder that in African football, no result can be taken for granted, and every match presents its own unique challenges.
The focus now shifts to Nigeria’s final qualifier against Rwanda, where Eguavoen and his team will look to conclude their campaign positively and begin preparations for the challenges that await them in Morocco. With qualification secured, the emphasis will be on building momentum and solidarity within the squad as they aim to add to their impressive collection of continental honors.
