AFCON 2025: Osimhen Double-Stamps Super Eagles Qualification with Equaliser against Benin

It was a formality match as it were. This is because Nigeria had qualified for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco without having to kick a ball, and with two outstanding matches to boot, courtesy of Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali on Thursday.

But Victor Osimhen still made assurance doubly sure in the Super Eagles match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, when  he headed a back-breaker and a face-saving equalizer in the second half.

After what seemed to be a do-or-die affair in the opening minutes of the first half, the Cheetahs of Benin, who had turned the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast to a slaughter slab for visiting teams, suddenly seized the Super Eagles by the jugular, and scored the opener in the 16 minute.

With the goal, the first to be conceded by the Super Eagles in the series, the Beninoise seemed poised to devour the Nigerians, and pick a ticket with 9 points.

But that changed when Osimhen leapt like a tiger between two Beninoise and headed home  a superb cross by Simon Moses in the left flank.

With the equaliser, Nigeria have firmly qualified for their 21st appearance in the 35th edition of the tournament which Morocco will host.Nigeria have won AFCON three times: 1980 in Lagos, 1994 in Tunisia, and 2013 in South Africa. The Super Eagles were runners-up in last year’s edition.