Nigeria’s Super Eagles are just one point away from qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with their eyes on a crucial match against Benin Republic on Thursday night. The game will take place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at 8 PM.

The Super Eagles head into this match in high spirits, having been awarded 3 points and 3 goals by CAF after a ruling on their abandoned match against Libya. This ruling came after Nigeria was delayed at the Al-Abraq Airport for over 18 hours when traveling for the second leg of the AFCON qualifiers.

Benin Republic enters the game following a 2-1 loss to Rwanda. The last time Nigeria and Benin met in September, Nigeria won 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with Ademola Lookman scoring twice and Victor Osimhen adding a goal.

Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has called up a 23-man squad for the qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, with Osimhen making his return after missing the previous match due to injury. Nigeria currently tops Group D with 10 points from 4 matches, while Benin sits in second place with 6 points.

Nigeria needs just one point from their final two matches to secure their place in the 2025 AFCON, joining teams like Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, and Cameroon, who have already qualified.

Experts are confident about Nigeria’s chances. Isa Saleh, co-founder of the Borno Junior League, believes the Super Eagles will secure a win and top their group. Former coach Emmanuel Brown also shares optimism, praising Nigeria’s attacking players like Osimhen, Lookman, and Victor Boniface. Brown predicts a 2-1 victory for Nigeria, despite the fact that Benin will have home support in Ivory Coast.

With a strong squad and good form, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are poised for a big performance as they look to seal their qualification for AFCON 2025.