Nigeria’s Super Eagles qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco on Thursday.
Even before they hit the field to play Benin Republic, the Super Eagles had already guaranteed a spot at the continental championship game with two games remaining.
This came after Libya defeated Rwanda by a slim margin of 1-0 in a previous Group D match in Kigali, thanks to a late goal by Fahd Saad Mohamed.
Nigeria, who currently lead the table with 10 points, can now finish as either the group’s winners or runners-up, while Benin Republic, who came in second, still has a chance.
Nigeria would virtually guarantee the Super Eagles’ top status if they defeated or drew with the Benin Republic, who enter the penultimate match with six points.
Rwanda is still in third place with five points, while Libya’s victory moved the Mediterranean Knights up to four points, but they are still at the bottom of Group D.
Both teams created opportunities but had trouble scoring in the fiercely contested match.
Innocent Nshuti of Rwanda had some near calls, but Libyan goalie Bader Hassan held firm.
In the 84th minute, Mohamed, who was unmarked in the box as the game was coming to an end, received a pass from Nour Aldin Al Qulaib and slotted it past Thierry Manzi of Rwanda.
(NAN)
