AFCON Qualifiers: Osimhen header sends Nigeria to Morocco as group leaders

Nigeria secures AFCON 2025 qualification with a 1-1 draw vs Benin, topping Group D after Osimhen's equalizer. Full recap of the intense Abidjan clash!

Victor Osimhen wheels away in celebration after drawing the Super Eagles level in Abidjan against Benin Republic. The 1-1 result guarantees top spot for the Super Eagles on their way to Morocco next year. (Photo credit: Twitter)

The Super Eagles of Nigeria guaranteed top spot in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Abidjan against Benin Republic on Thursday.

The Nigerian side qualified for the tournament without even kicking a ball earlier in the day when Libya surprisingly beat Rwanda away in Kigali; it was only a matter of who tops the group by the time they kicked off against the Squirrels.

After defeating Nigeria earlier in the year, the Benin team gained confidence before the game. With the former head coach of the Super Eagles in their dugout, Benin felt confident and they started brightly on a windy night in the Ivorian city of Abidjan.

Nigerian took charge after the opening exchange, spreading passes and controlling possession, but in the 16^th minute, Mohammed Tijani headed home from a corner to hand the home side the lead against the run of play.

Nigeria struggled to break down their hosts despite dominating possession. Victor Osimhen had a golden chance to draw the Super Eagles level, but his header went narrowly wide. The Osimhen chance remained the major chance Nigeria had in the first half.

At the start of the second half, coach Austin Eguavoen switched things up; debutant Gabriel Osho and Kelechi Iheanacho were yanked off as Nigeria went from a 3-4-3 formation to a more familiar 4-3-3, which allowed the likes of Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon to enjoy the flanks.

Benin switched into game management mode, drawing fouls and delaying the restart as their visitors grew frustrated. Victor Boniface came on for Alex Iwobi, and, with two men upfront, Nigeria finally found their equaliser.

Substitute Moses Simon delivered a peach of a cross into the Benin area for Osimhen to head home. The Galatasaray striker kept himself onside and guided his effort past the Benin goalkeeper, sending Nigeria level, thereby breaking the hearts of their hosts.

Roles were reversed, and Benin suddenly threw caution in the wind, but with no real attempt on Stanley Nwabali’s goal. The result guaranteed Nigeria tops Group D with a game to spare on Monday in Uyo against Rwanda.