Benin will take on Nigeria in a pivotal 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification clash on Thursday, hoping to narrow the gap in Group D and keep their qualification hopes alive. The highly anticipated match is set to kick off at 9:00 pm CAT at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where Benin is playing home fixtures due to venue constraints.
Benin enters this match with renewed resolve after their recent setback.
They fell 2-1 to Rwanda in an away fixture on October 15, a result that ended their two-game winning streak in Group D.
Prior to that, the Cheetahs had managed back-to-back victories over Libya and Rwanda, keeping their qualification aspirations within reach.
Currently positioned second in the group standings, a win on Thursday would allow Benin to close the gap with Nigeria, the group leaders, to a single point.
Nigeria, meanwhile, comes into the match following an unusual turn of events in their October fixture against Libya.
Scheduled to play in Libya, the Super Eagles faced unexpected challenges, with players and staff stranded at the airport for over 12 hours.
The match was ultimately canceled, and Nigeria was awarded a 3-0 walkover victory, preserving their unbeaten status in Group D.
With three wins and one walkover, Nigeria leads the group and needs only a single point from the Benin clash to secure their spot in the 2025 AFCON finals, set to be hosted in Morocco.
A draw would be sufficient for the Super Eagles, but head coach José Peseiro’s side will likely aim to extend their lead and maintain momentum as they close in on qualification.
Historically, Nigeria has been the dominant force in head-to-head encounters with Benin.
In their 18 previous meetings across all competitions, Nigeria has emerged victorious 14 times, with Benin managing just two wins and two draws.
The last encounter between the two sides ended in a commanding 3-0 victory for Nigeria, in a qualifier held in Uyo on September 7, 2025.
This record serves as a reminder of Nigeria’s stronghold over their West African neighbors, though Benin will be determined to defy the odds and claim an upset on home turf.
A win would be crucial for Benin, not only to boost their own qualification hopes but to inject fresh excitement into Group D as the AFCON qualifiers approach their climax.
Coach Gernot Rohr and his squad will be acutely aware of the stakes, with the Cheetahs aiming to avenge their September defeat and demonstrate their growth as a formidable team within the group.
As fans gather for this decisive showdown in Abidjan, the stage is set for a clash where Benin’s hunger for redemption meets Nigeria’s pursuit of qualification.
The Cheetahs will look to leverage home advantage and disrupt the Super Eagles’ dominance, making this a match that promises both intensity and high stakes in the journey to the AFCON 2025.
