Benin vs Nigeria LIVE! AFCON 2025 qualifier result, match stream and latest updates today | OneFootball

Victor Osimhen nets a late equaliser with the Super Eagles already confirmed of a place at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025

Back in action: Victor Osimhen made a goalscoring return from injury for Nigeria

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Benin vs Nigeria LIVE!

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!

Live updates

1 hour ago

Benin 1-1 Nigeria

Not 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.

1 hour ago

Benin 1-1 Nigeria

It 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.

1 hour ago

Benin 1-1 Nigeria

Full-time

1 hour ago

Benin 1-1 Nigeria

93 mins: Another corner for Benin late and Nigeria fail to clear, but the ball is swept harmlessly over the crossbar.

1 hour ago

Benin 1-1 Nigeria

89 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.

1 hour ago

Benin 1-1 Nigeria

87 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.

1 hour ago

Benin 1-1 Nigeria

84 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.

1 hour ago

GOAL! Benin 1-1 Nigeria | Victor Osimhen 81'

81 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?

1 hour ago

Benin 1-0 Nigeria

77 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.

1 hour ago

Benin 1-0 Nigeria

75 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.

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