The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nigeria’s spot at the next AFCON was confirmed after Libya
defeated Rwanda 1-0 on Thursday at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali.
The Eagles qualified for the competition with two games to
spare. The team is billed to play the Benin Republic less than 30 after the
match involving the other two teams in the group.
Nigeria are the leaders in Group D of the qualification with
10 points, followed by the Benin Republic with six points. Only the top two
teams qualify for the group.
With the loss to Libya, Rwanda are on five points in third
place, with just one game left to play. Libya are sitting at the bottom of the
group with four points.
The Super Eagles started the qualification campaign with an
emphatic 3-0 victory over the Benin Republic in the first leg of the encounter
before playing a frustrating draw against Rwanda.
In the third game, Nigeria grabbed a late winner against
Libya at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo. The second leg of the clash
against Libya was never held.
The return leg was to be played at Benghazi, but the
Nigerian national team’s flight was diverted to Al Abaq airport, and the
players and coaches were held for over 20 hours without food and drinks.
The Eagles later withdrew from the qualifying match and
returned home. Libya’s action attracted the wrath of CAF, and the country
forfeited the game and was fined $50 thousand. Nigeria was also awarded three
points and three goals.
However, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has appealed
the CAF decision. The outcome of the appeal could still alter the group’s
situation.
The Eagles will face the Benin Republic by 8 pm. Ademola
Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho are among the players named in
Nigeria’s starting line-up for the game.
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