The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday secured qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Morocco.
The Super Eagles secured a berth at the continental showpiece before they took to the pitch to take on Benin Republic on Thursday.
This was after Libya snatched a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali in an earlier Group D encounter, thanks to a late strike by Fahd Saad Mohamed.
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen’s late effort for the Super Eagles against Benin Republic on Thursday ensured that Nigeria qualified for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco as Group D winners.
This was after Mohamed Tijani opened scoring for the Cheetahs in the 16th minute at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The game played under heavy rain produced a number of interesting moments, but the biggest was when Osimhen celebrated wildly as his 81st-minute header sailed past goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
The goal not only secured Nigeria’s first place in the group but also put Osimhen at par with the legendary Segun Odegbami in the goals’ tally for Nigeria.
Both are now joint second to the top man, late Rashidi Yekini, who scored 37 goals in 58 matches.
Osimhen’s goal, in which he profited from a pinpoint cross from Moses Simon, and restored parity on the night, was his 23rd for the Super Eagles.
Odegbami, the former captain of the team who took the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations finals by the scruff, scored his 23 goals in 46 matches.
Nigeria secured a ticket to participate in the AFCON finals (the continent’s flagship football championship), for the 21st time after a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic in Abidjan.
The result also put the Cheetahs’ prospects for qualification on the wire.
