Victor Osimhen scored a crucial late equaliser as Nigeria secured a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan. The result sealed the Super Eagles’ place in the tournament set to hold in Morocco as group leaders.
The game was played under heavy rain, with Benin taking the lead in the 16th minute through Mohamed Tijani. Tijani headed home a cross from Junior Olaitan, capitalising on a defensive lapse as the ball slipped through goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s legs.
Nigeria pushed for an equaliser, with Alex Iwobi and Osimhen coming close in the first half.
Alex Iwobi had miscued when Osimhen headed down the ball for him from Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, and Osimhen himself was foiled by Dandjinou just before the Cheetahs struck at the other end.
Nwabali was alert to punch away as Olaitan broke loose three minutes later, and it was ding-dong until four minutes before the break, when Osimhen should have scored from a brilliant Onyemaechi cross, only to watch the ball roll away from goal after his header.
In the 55th minute, Ademola Lookman and Osimhen caused anxious moments at the Benin Republic rear, but Olaitan also got close after Captain William Ekong and Olaoluwa Aina fumbled with the ball down the line. Onyemaechi, coming forward a lot, saw his shot roll agonizingly away from goal just after the hour, and Osimhen headed wide away in the 74th minute as the Cheetahs began to nurse hopes of a win.
However, it wasn’t until the 81st minute that Osimhen finally found the back of the net, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score.
The goal, Osimhen’s 23rd for Nigeria, not only secured the draw but also ensured the Super Eagles remain unbeaten in the qualifiers.
Interim coach Austin Eguavoen praised the team’s resilience in tough conditions, highlighting their second-half performance as key to securing the point.
“It was a tough game and I congratulate the players for a spirited display in the second half that earned us the equalizer. The downpour made the game difficult for both teams, but I am happy we have the AFCON finals ticket in the bag ahead of the final game of the series against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday,” Eguavoen said.
Nigeria, who top their group, will wrap up their qualification campaign against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.
