The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Benin Republic in their AFCON 2025 qualifier on Thursday evening.
Despite already securing qualification, Nigeria battled for a win at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny but ultimately settled for a point.
Mohamed Tijjani opened the scoring for Benin in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a well-executed set piece.
A costly error from Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali allowed the ball to find the back of the net.
Victor Osimhen missed a golden opportunity in the first half but redeemed himself in the 81st minute.
A precise cross from Moses Simon found the Napoli striker, who expertly converted with a glancing header to secure a draw for Nigeria.
The result keeps the Super Eagles at the top of Group D with 11 points.
Victor Osimhen celebrates as his teammates huddle joining in after Nigeria scored against Benin in the AFCON Qualifiers. Photo | X
Player ratings from the match:
Starting XI
Christian Nwabali – 5/10
The Chippa United goalkeeper should have done better for Benin’s goal but made up for it with a crucial save later in the match.
Though shaky early on, he grew into the game and showed composure in the second half.
Gabriel Osho – 5/10
A tough debut for the new recruit, who struggled with the intensity of the first half.
He was replaced at halftime by Raphael Onyedika, but his errors can be forgiven given this was his first outing for Nigeria.
William Troost-Ekong – 5/10
The Super Eagles captain was steady in the first half but struggled after the tactical switch to a back four.
He lost possession in dangerous areas while attempting to play out from the back, which could have cost the team.
Ola Aina – 4/10
The Nottingham Forest full-back lacked his usual sharpness.
His link-up play was poor, and he was unable to provide his trademark forward runs. He was substituted late in the game for Samuel Osayi-Samuel.
Calvin Bassey – 5/10
The Fulham defender had an error-prone performance, with heavy touches and misplaced passes.
While he settled slightly in the second half, his first-half display left much to be desired.
Bruno Onyemaechi – 7/10
A bright spot in Nigeria’s defense. The Boavista full-back worked tirelessly, contributing defensively and offensively. His energy and creativity stood out in a largely uninspired team performance.
Wilfred Ndidi – 5.5/10
The Leicester City midfielder won the most duels but was far from his best. Despite his efforts, he failed to dominate the midfield or make a significant impact.
Alex Iwobi – 6.3/10
A mixed performance from the Fulham man. He created a few chances, including one for Onyemaechi, but was guilty of missing opportunities himself.
He improved slightly after halftime before being replaced by Victor Boniface.
Ademola Lookman – 6/10
The Atalanta winger struggled to influence the game offensively as he was heavily marked. However, he tracked back well to help the defense. Substituted late on for Frank Onyeka.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 2/10
A night to forget for Iheanacho, whose poor form continued. He offered little in attack and was subbed off at halftime for Moses Simon. His selection ahead of Simon remains questionable.
Victor Osimhen – 7.5/10
Osimhen missed a clear-cut chance in the first half but delivered when it mattered most, heading in the equalizer from Simon’s cross.
Though he was caught offside multiple times, his goal salvaged a vital point for Nigeria.
Substitutes
Moses Simon – 7/10
Simon’s introduction changed the game for the Super Eagles. The Nantes winger injected much-needed pace and creativity, delivering the assist for Osimhen’s equalizer.
Victor Boniface – 4/10
The Bayer Leverkusen forward failed to make an impact after replacing Iwobi. He squandered chances and struggled with decision-making.
Raphael Onyedika – 5.5/10
Brought on to relieve Ndidi, Onyedika helped balance the midfield defensively but added little offensively.
Frank Onyeka – 3/10
The Augsburg man had minimal involvement after replacing Lookman late in the game.
Samuel Osayi-Samuel – 3/10
Introduced in the dying minutes for Aina, Osayi-Samuel had no time to make a significant impact.
Final Verdict
While Nigeria avoided defeat, their performance was far from convincing. Eguavoen’s side will need to improve significantly as they look ahead to tougher challenges in the tournament.
