Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set to face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a decisive AFCON 2025 qualifier on Thursday night, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. This highly anticipated encounter is critical for Nigeria, as a single point from their remaining two matches will secure their spot in next year’s AFCON tournament in Morocco.
The Super Eagles currently lead Group D with 10 points from four matches, positioning them ahead of Benin Republic, who sit in second place with six points, followed by Rwanda with five points and Libya trailing with just one.
The Nigerian team approaches this match with a sense of determination, having been awarded three points and three goals by the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) disciplinary committee in a ruling on October 26. This decision came after Nigeria’s away game against Libya was abandoned, as the Super Eagles were detained for over 18 hours upon arrival at the Al-Abraq Airport, preventing them from completing the fixture.
Benin, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Rwanda in their last game. The Beninoise will rely on home support as they play in the Francophone country of Côte d’Ivoire, although the Super Eagles come into this match with recent victories and strong performances. The two teams last met in September at Nigeria’s Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, where the Super Eagles emerged victorious with a 3-0 win, courtesy of a brace by Ademola Lookman and a goal from star striker Victor Osimhen. The familiarity between the teams, along with the rivalry, adds another layer of excitement to this upcoming contest.
Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced a 23-man squad for the qualifiers, which includes both the Benin Republic clash in Abidjan and the final qualifier against Rwanda back in Uyo.
Eguavoen’s roster has the benefit of Osimhen’s return to the squad after he missed the previous match due to injury. This adds a considerable boost to the attack, alongside other forward talents like Victor Boniface and Lookman, who have been impressive for their clubs and will be pivotal in Nigeria’s attempt to secure qualification.
Eguavoen’s squad selection reflects Nigeria’s wealth of attacking options, with the current form of players like Osimhen inspiring confidence in both fans and analysts. The Super Eagles’ depth has been widely praised, and the competition within the team drives players to prove their worth on the field. The Nigerian squad has demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill, establishing themselves as one of Africa’s most formidable teams, and they enter the match against Benin Republic as favorites to claim all three points.
Analysts and fans have voiced their expectations for the Super Eagles’ performance on Thursday. Isa Saleh, co-founder of the Borno Junior League, acknowledged the tough nature of the upcoming game but expressed confidence in Nigeria’s chances. Saleh highlighted the Super Eagles’ current form, stating that the players’ recent performances show a “hunger to play” and a drive to secure victory. Saleh predicted a Super Eagles win, forecasting a scoreline of 3-1 in Nigeria’s favor, although he admitted that he’s not usually one to make predictions.
Former TTC Football Academy coach Emmanuel Brown also shared his optimism about the Super Eagles’ prospects. Brown praised the Nigerian team’s quality and consistency, particularly in the forward line, where players like Osimhen, Boniface, and Lookman have been showcasing their talent and outmatching defenders on a weekly basis. While Brown acknowledged that the Beninoise will enjoy the support of a Francophone crowd, he remains confident that the Super Eagles’ skill and teamwork will secure a victory.
His prediction leans toward a 2-1 win for Nigeria, despite the challenges posed by playing in a Francophone nation where Benin is likely to receive more vocal backing from the stands.
Brown emphasized that the current Super Eagles squad is a formidable force on the continent, a team loaded with talent and driven by fierce competition for starting positions. According to him, every player in the squad knows that any opportunity granted to them on the pitch is a chance to prove themselves, particularly under Eguavoen’s management.
This has led to a high-performing squad in which each player’s commitment and ambition strengthen the team as a whole. Brown underscored that Eguavoen’s arrival brought a new level of competitiveness to the Super Eagles, as players now understand that securing a spot in the starting lineup requires consistently strong performances.
Looking at the group standings, Nigeria’s position at the top of Group D affords them a slight advantage. While their opponents will be motivated to cause an upset, the Super Eagles only need a draw from this match to advance to the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, joining other top teams such as Morocco, Algeria, Angola, DR Congo, Egypt, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon, who have already booked their places in the competition.
For Nigeria, this qualifier represents more than just an opportunity to move on to AFCON 2025; it’s also a chance to reinforce their standing as one of Africa’s elite teams. Securing qualification with a match to spare would give Eguavoen’s men additional time to focus on preparing for the tournament itself.
The Super Eagles’ impressive depth and experience across all positions give them a significant advantage, even against an opponent backed by former Nigerian coach Gernot Rohr. Rohr’s familiarity with Nigerian tactics may give Benin some insight into the Super Eagles’ style, but the Nigerian squad’s recent growth and improved performance levels set them apart as the team to beat in this match.
With the Super Eagles looking to build on recent wins and capitalize on their strong form, fans across Nigeria are eagerly anticipating Thursday’s clash. Social media is buzzing with excitement, as supporters back their team to deliver a memorable performance and secure their place in the AFCON tournament.
Many fans and analysts alike see this game as a chance for the Super Eagles to continue their ascent and further cement their reputation in African football.
As the players take the field on Thursday night, they do so with the knowledge that they carry the hopes and expectations of an entire nation.
A victory would mean much more than securing qualification; it would symbolize the promise of an exciting future for Nigerian football. Eguavoen’s men are fully aware of the stakes, and they have every intention of delivering for their country.
