(SPORT) BENIN REPUBLIC VS NIGERIA: SUPER EAGLES CHASE EARLY AFCON QUALIFICATION

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The Super Eagles return to action in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifying match against Benin Republic.

Nigeria leads the group with 10 points on the log and needs just one more point to advance to the competition, which will take place in late 2025.

The Super Eagles will aim for a similar outcome at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, which is the adopted home field of the Benin Republic, after defeating the Cheetahs 3-0 in the first leg of the match earlier this year.

Their opponents, who are behind them by four points, are hoping to duplicate their incredible 2-1 victory against the same team in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match in June. Their prospects of qualifying for the continental championship will increase if they win.

In their quest to qualify for the upcoming AFCON, coach Austine Eguavoen’s team has won three of their four games while giving up just one.

With the exception of center back Semi Ajayi, who is recovering from an injury, Eguavoen had a full roster going into the match. After missing Nigeria’s postponed match against Libya, star scorer Victor Osimen is also back with the Super Eagles.

Ahead of the encounter, he said, his team want to clinch all three points at stake.

“The mindset we come into games is to win but it is easier said than done. We fight for every ball, we fight for every point and that’s what we want to do tomorrow [Thursday],” he said.

“With respect to that, the Benin Republic is not a pushover, but we will work hard to make sure we achieve our objective.”

If Nigeria draw or win the game, it will render next week’s clash with Rwanda in Uyo a dead rubber tie.

The match will be place by 8:00pm Nigeria time.