Nigeria are officially heading to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in 2025. The Super Eagles were guaranteed of their place at the tournament with two games to spare on Thursday evening thanks to Rwanda’s shock home defeat by Libya, lessening the jeopardy on their meeting with Benin in the Ivorian city of Abidjan - scene of their agonising AFCON final defeat by hosts Ivory Coast earlier this year.
But Augustine Eguavoen’s side went on to seal top spot in Group D courtesy of an entertaining 1-1 draw in which the fit-again Victor Osimhen atoned for a glaring first-half miss with a deft headed equaliser from a Moses Simon cross less than 10 minutes from time at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium. Nigeria had trailed for much of the game after Mohamed Tijani had headed through the legs of Stanley Nwabali early on.
Disappointment for Benin, but Gernot Rohr’s side remain firmly in the driving seat for the second qualification spot in Group D ahead of their final qualifier against Libya in Tripoli on Monday, needing to lose that and for Rwanda to shock Nigeria in Uyo to miss out on a first AFCON appearance since reaching the quarter-finals in 2019. Follow Benin vs Nigeria live below!
Benin vs Nigeria highlights
- GOAL! Osimhen heads in late equaliser for Super Eagles
- GOAL! Tijani gives Benin early lead against run of play
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
21:21 , George FloodNot a vintage performance from the Super Eagles by any means, but a nice confidence boost at the end for Osimhen there after his glaring first-half miss.
Two defeats by former head coach Gernot Rohr in a matter of months would have been very tough to handle.
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
21:05 , George FloodIt ends all square in Abidjan, with no real jeopardy on that game for Nigeria in the end after Rwanda’s home defeat by Libya earlier meant that the Super Eagles were already guaranteed a place at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco next year with two games to spare before kicking a ball.
A point also guarantees them top spot in Group D ahead of their final game at home to Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.
Benin remain in the driving seat for the second qualification slot with a two-point buffer to Rwanda as they travel to Tripoli to play Libya in their final game.
They would need to lose that match and for Rwanda to stun the Super Eagles to be overtaken.
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
20:58 , George FloodFull-time
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
20:57 , George Flood93 mins: Another corner for Benin late and Nigeria fail to clear, but the ball is swept harmlessly over the crossbar.
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
20:56 , George Flood89 mins: Frank Onyeka for Lookman is Nigeria’s final change of the evening.
Aina was also replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel a few minutes ago.
Four minutes of added time signalled as Nigeria ambitiously try to catch Danjinou off his line but don’t get close.
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
20:53 , George Flood87 mins: Despite a slip, substitute Boniface wins a late corner for Nigeria that is sent in from the right by Lookman.
An unconvincing punch from Danjinou under little pressure, but the whistle goes for a Nigeria foul elsewhere in the box.
Benin 1-1 Nigeria
20:5184 mins: Rather than Nigeria piling on more pressure after the equaliser, it’s Benin who are seeking to quickly restore their lead.
They force a couple of corners in quick succession, but Nigeria defend solidly.
GOAL! Benin 1-1 Nigeria | Victor Osimhen 81'
20:45 , George Flood81 mins: That’s more like it from the Super Eagles talisman!
It’s a peach of a cross from the left from Moses Simon, with Osimhen shrugging off the attentions of two defenders before glancing a deft header into the back of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
His 23rd goal for Nigeria. Can they now push for a late winner?
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:44 , George Flood77 mins: Frustrated Nigeria are just playing right into Benin’s hands at the moment, committing a series of needless little fouls that are costing them the chance of building any late momentum in search of an equaliser.
Benin are relishing the opportunity to bleed as much time off the clock as possible as they look to secure a second win over the Super Eagles in just a matter of months to book their own place at AFCON next year and go into the final round of qualifiers with a shot at finishing top of Group D.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:41 , George Flood75 mins: Benin are slowing the game down at every opportunity now, making it a real stop-start affair at the moment.
Goalkeeper Danjinou receives treatment before a defensive change from head coach Gernot Rohr, who sends on centre-back Cedric Hountondji in place of former Barnsley, Blackpool and Yeovil midfielder Sessi D'Almeida.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:38 , George Flood73 mins: Approaching the final 15 minutes in Abidjan and it’s plenty of harmless possession for Nigeria at the moment.
That’s a far, far more difficult header for a twisting Osimhen, who contorts himself to steer well wide of the near post from a cross from the left.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:35 , George Flood71 mins: Aina is beaten too easily inside the box by Hassane but Nigeria end up with the goal kick.
Boniface is now coming on for the Super Eagles. Iwobi makes way.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:34 , George Flood67 mins: Dokou is down and in need of treatment as time continues to bleed off the clock for Nigeria.
Aside from that Onyemaechi strike they’ve been really disappointing in this second half.
Eguavoen must be pondering further changes.
He has plenty more attacking options on the bench, including the likes of Victor Boniface, Sadiq Umar, Samuel Chukwueze and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:28 , George Flood64 mins: Benin are beginning to live dangerously in Abidjan as Aina works his way down the right and then delivers a cross into the six-yard box that a stretching Osimhen can only toe into the path of goalkeeper Danjinou.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:26 , George Flood61 mins: Much better from Nigeria as an incisive move ends up with Onyemaechi taking a touch outside the box before dispatching a powerful low drive inches wide of the post.
What a time that would have been for the Boavista left-back to register his first Super Eagles goal.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:22 , George Flood56 mins: Now a defensive error from Nigeria just moments later!
Olaitan looks to take full advantage, but his low strike is arrowed wide of the back post.
Another huge chance for 2-0 for Benin.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:21 , George Flood55 mins: Almost an absolute calamity at the back from Benin as an attempted header back to Danjinou lets in Lookman, who is beaten to the ball by the goalkeeper.
The initial clearance is straight up into the air and Danjinou is able to win a header up against Osimhen outside his box, and then safely regather.
Almost a farce!
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:1953 mins: A really flat start to this second half for Nigeria.
The changes in personnel and system are yet to pay off with Osimhen rightly flagged offside again.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:15 , George Flood49 mins: A free-kick in a nice position for Benin after a foul on Dokou.
It’s a short one and is absolutely hammered wide.
Here come Benin again and Hassane slices wide at the back post.
That was a real chance for 2-0 early in this second half.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:12 , George FloodIt looks like Nigeria have gone from 3-4-3 to a 4-3-3 system.
Debutant Osho and Iheanacho were the players to go off at the break.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:11 , George FloodBack underway in Ivory Coast.
Two half-time changes from Nigeria, with Moses Simon and Raphael Onyedika both introduced.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
20:09The players are emerging back onto the pitch at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
No doubt a stern half-time team talk from interim Nigeria boss Austin Eguavoen.
It’s worth noting, however, that Libya’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali earlier on means that Nigeria’s place at AFCON 2025 is now already guaranteed.
They need a draw to ensure top spot in Group D.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:56 , George FloodHalf-time in Abidjan and a difficult night for Nigeria so far in tough conditions.
Though they started the game well and have shown flashes of intent, they trail at the interval courtesy of that early Mohamed Tijani header from a corner that was against the run of play at the time.
But Benin have mostly been good value for the lead since then, aside from a golden headed chance for Victor Osimhen that he somehow steered wide.
A pretty decent game overall, and more goals to come you feel.
Nigeria only need a draw to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, remember. But work to do even to achieve that at the moment.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:51 , George FloodHalf-time
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:4945 mins: Into two minutes of first-half stoppage time.
Can the Super Eagles restore parity before the break?
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:48 , George Flood43 mins: Crosses coming in from all angles from Nigeria just at the moment as they bid to make up for that glaring Osimhen miss.
However, it’s all a bit frantic and Benin are standing firm with that 1-0 lead at the moment.
How they would love to get in at half-time ahead.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:4540 mins: What a miss from Osimhen!
Nigeria ramp up the pressure in search of an equaliser before half-time, with their star striker keeping himself onside to connect with a pinpoint cross from Onyemaechi.
However, Osimhen’s free header inside the six-yard box is steered agonisingly wide of the far post.
It should be 1-1. He usually scores those in his sleep!
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:39 , George Flood36 mins: Some good noise coming from the stands in Abidjan despite the constant rain and the fact that Benin are playing a home fixture some 888km away from their own country.
Nigeria are torn apart all too easily again and a lofted cross intended for Aiyegun is gathered by Nwabali.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:36 , George Flood33 mins: Nigeria now with another free-kick in a great position wide on the right flank after a poor challenge from Mounie on Aina.
Iheanacho’s in-swinger is headed away and Benin clear again at the second attempt.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:35 , George Flood31 mins: Lookman swings in a free-kick from the left but Osho’s push on Hassane leads to a free-kick to Benin.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:33 , George Flood30 mins: Half an hour gone and there are plenty of heavy challenges flying in, including one earlier from Benin captain Mounie on Nigeria counterpart Troost-Ekong.
Now Fulham’s Iwobi has just been felled by a late challenge.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:31 , George Flood29 mins: Still confident Benin pile the pressure on nervy Nigeria in the pouring Abidjan rain.
Aina is caught ball-watching from another dangerous cross and Dokou fires wide of the back post.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:30 , George Flood27 mins: Some good football from Benin in this first half.
They have a decent long throw and an acrobatic effort is hooked just wide before Olaitan’s low effort is parried wide by Nwabali.
Onyemaechi then with a crucial, crucial last-ditch challenge to keep this at 1-0.
Nigeria are hanging on at the moment!
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:29 , George Flood25 mins: Danjinou denies Lookman but the offside flag is up.
Was that the right decision? It was very tight...
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:27 , George Flood23 mins: The Nigeria threat is building as Danjinou just about claims another cross from Onyemaechi.
I don’t envy either goalkeeper in this weather, it must be said. Both are struggling to keep hold of a very wet ball.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:2521 mins: Nigeria could easily be 2-0 down already in Abidjan, but do have their own attacking threat with a Lookman cross seen away.
Thunder and lightning now as well as the heavy rain. Atrocious conditions in Ivory Coast.
Benin 1-0 Nigeria
19:2319 mins: Nigeria fans breathe a sigh of relief with Osimhen deemed fine to continue after receiving treatment on that ankle.
But they are being sliced through too easily down the middle and Olaitan produces a low strike that is well parried by Nwabali, with Aina then producing a risky sliding challenge inside the box.
He got the ball and play continues. A vital tackle in the end.
GOAL! Benin 1-0 Nigeria | Mohamed Tijani 16'
19:19 , George Flood16 mins: Benin take the lead against the run of play!
Nigeria are under pressure with Osimhen down, with a couple of mishits forcing a corner from the left that is headed in by a totally unmarked Tijani just past the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
Woeful marking from Nigeria and dreadful goalkeeping from Nwabali, with the wet ball slipping through his grasp and through his legs into the back of the net.
Work to do for the Super Eagles in Abidjan.
Benin 0-0 Nigeria
19:1815 mins: Concern for Nigeria here with Osimhen looking to put them in front but just being beaten to the ball by Benin goalkeeper Dandjinou.
He’s stayed down clutching his ankle and is now receiving treatment.
Benin 0-0 Nigeria
19:16 , George Flood13 mins: Nigeria have quickly taken back control of possession after a brief burst of intent from Benin, but with no further opportunities to speak of just yet.
Both attacks are not being helped at all by the non-stop rain that is making it a bit of a difficult surface to play on.
Benin 0-0 Nigeria
19:13 , George Flood9 mins: A big early chance for Nigeria as a clipped cross from the byline is headed down well by Osimhen for Iwobi, who just can’t apply the finishing touch from close range as the ball is hacked clear.
Benin 0-0 Nigeria
19:11 , George Flood7 mins: Benin are growing into the game now after a very passive start in the heavy rain.
They force a corner off Onyemaechi before working another attack well but Olaitan’s low ball to the back post is overhit, misses its intended target and rolls wide for a pressure-relieving goal kick for Nwabali.
Benin 0-0 Nigeria
19:07 , George Flood4 mins: Nigeria are dominating possession early, with Benin barely having a kick so far during the opening exchanges.
One dangerous-looking cross from the right was repelled and Osimhen has just been flagged offside as he looked to collect a searching through ball behind the Benin defence.
Benin vs Nigeria
19:04We are underway in Abidjan, where the rain is absolutely streaming down.
Nigeria in green tonight, with Benin in yellow.
Will the Super Eagles clinch their place at next summer’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco with a game to spare?
They need only a point, remember...
Kick-off approaching
18:53 , George FloodJust 10 minutes now until kick-off at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where Benin are hosting games due to their Stade Mathieu Kerekou in Cotonou no longer meeting FIFA standards.
Steve Mounie: Benin must be 'actors not just spectators'
18:34Facing Nigeria will obviously hold no fear for Benin after their World Cup qualifying upset at the same stadium over the summer, with captain Steve Mounie calling on his team-mates to be “actors and not just spectators” in tonight’s match.
“I remember that in June, I gave them the example of my former club,” the former Huddersfield striker told Complete Sports.
“When I was with Stade Brest, we were able to stand up to big teams in the French championship.
”I told them that we could do the same thing against Nigeria. We are capable of looking them in the eye.
“That’s what we will have to do. Be actors in this match and not just spectators.”
Osho debut for Nigeria as Osimhen returns
18:14 , George FloodSo former Reading and Luton man Gabe Osho goes straight into defence for his Nigeria debut in the absence of the injured Semi Ajayi.
It’s three changes in total from the side that beat Libya 1-0 at home last month thanks to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s late goal before the away fixture was boycotted, with Victor Osimhen back to the lead the line along with Sevilla frontman Kelechi Iheanacho.
Brentford’s Frank Onyeka - on loan at Augsburg - drops to the bench along with Moses Simon.
Looks to be a more attacking approach from Austin Eguavoen with two strikers and Alex Iwobi presumably playing a bit deeper alongside Wilfred Ndidi.
Nigeria lineup confirmed
18:08 , George FloodAnd here’s the Nigeria team...
#SuperEagles Team News in
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 14, 2024
🟢⚪️
🪨 Osho debuts in defence
⚡️ Iwobi, Ndidi in the middle
🙌🏽 Osimhen leads attack line #SoarSuperEagles #BENNGA pic.twitter.com/EEMrxCWmYL
No Matteo Ahlinvi for Benin
17:55As expected, Swedish-based midfielder Matteo Ahlinvi misses out for Benin tonight due to an injury that forced him off in the first half of Vasteras SK’s 1-0 win over Hammarby in Allsvenskan last weekend.
Captain Steve Mounie leads the line as usual, supported by Lorient’s Tosin Aiyegun.
Sochaux’s Jodel Dossou, who, along with Mounie, scored in the 2-1 fightback win over Nigeria in World Cup qualifying in the summer, is only on the bench, along with Burnley’s Andreas Hountondji.
Benin lineup confirmed
17:44Benin have named their team to face Nigeria in Abidjan tonight...
📋 𝗫𝗜 𝗗𝗘 𝗗𝗘́𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 | Voici les titulaires alignés aujourd’hui pour les Guépards 🐆🇧🇯, prêts à en découdre face aux Super Eagles du Nigeria 🇳🇬 ! 🔥#BENNIG #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 #AFCONQ2025
— Bénin Football 🇧🇯🐆 (@FootballBenin) November 14, 2024
#AllezLesGuépards 🐆🇧🇯 pic.twitter.com/LYD8njFwsy
Austin Eguavoen remains in temporary charge of Nigeria
17:40Nigeria remain under the interim management of former midfielder Austin Eguavoen, who is also the technical director for the Nigeria Football Federation.
He has been in charge following the resignation of Super Eagles legend Finidi George just two months into the job back in June after a poor start to World Cup qualifying that included that shock 2-1 loss to Benin in Abidjan.
It remains to be seen exactly how long he will be in charge for, or when Nigeria fans can expect a permanent successor to George - who had himself been an assistant to predecessor Jose Peseiro - to be announced.
This is Eguavoen’s third separate stint in charge of the Super Eagles, having also done the job between 2005-07 and again in 2010.
Benin vs Nigeria prediction
17:15 , George FloodDespite a comfortable 3-0 win at home in the reverse fixture back in September, Nigeria won’t be taking the challenge of Benin lightly tonight.
The Super Eagles know all about the threats that can be posed by Gernot Rohr’s side, who dealt their flagging 2026 World Cup qualification hopes another key blow by winning 2-1 in an eventful qualifier also held in Abidjan back in June.
On that occasion, Raphael Onyedika gave Nigeria a first-half lead before Benin came firing back for a famous victory thanks to goals from Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie.
But Nigeria seem in a better place now despite last month’s boycott against Libya and boast a very strong squad that includes the likes of Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman as well as the returning Victor Osimhen.
The presence of former Nigeria boss Rohr adds another intriguing subplot to meetings with Benin, with his long tenure with the Super Eagles ending with a surprise sacking just weeks before the 2021 edition of AFCON and a claim of unfair dismissal that was taken to a FIFA tribunal.
Nigeria to win, 2-0.
Early Nigeria team news: Victor Osimhen back in strong squad
17:04 , George FloodNigeria have been significantly boosted by the return of star striker Victor Osimhen, who missed the last round of internationals with a muscular injury sustained while playing for loan club Galatasaray.
Real Sociedad forward Umar Sadiq has also returned to fitness, though the Super Eagles are without defensive regular Semi Ajayi after he suffered a serious hamstring injury with West Brom last month that required surgery.
Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah is also missing the rest of the season due to injury, with interim Nigeria boss Austin Eguavoen calling up former Reading and Luton defender Gabe Osho - now of Auxerre in France.
He could win his first senior international cap tonight, while Nigeria have also added fellow defender Victor Collins of Nasarawa United, He is the only Nigeria-based player in the current squad.
Early Benin team news: Matteo Ahlinvi an injury doubt
16:55 , George FloodBenin have had doubts over the fitness of French-born midfielder Matteo Ahlinvi, who was forced off injured in the first half while playing for Vasteras SK in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Hammarby in Sweden’s Allsvenskan.
The Cheetahs’ squad is led by captain and former Huddersfield striker Steve Mounie, who now plays his club football in the German Bundesliga with Augsburg.
Burnley’s Andreas Hountondji is another option in the forward ranks.
How to watch Benin vs Nigeria
16:48TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game will not be televised live.
Live stream: Fans can, however, catch the contest live online via bet365.
Benin vs Nigeria live
16:44 , George FloodHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest live coverage of the race to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Group D leaders Nigeria can book their place in next year’s finals in Morocco by earning a point tonight from their penultimate game against closest challengers Benin, which is being played at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast - the city where the Super Eagles lost this year’s AFCON final in agonising fashion.
Undefeated Nigeria will be confident of victory with the likes of star striker Victor Osimhen back in the fold, though Benin are looking to seal automatic qualification themselves and are coached by former Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr.
Kick-off this evening is at 7pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, team news and live updates throughout the night.
