Benin held Nigeria to a hard-fought 1-1 draw on Thursday in their AFCON 2025 qualifier at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, maintaining their hopes of securing a spot in Morocco next year. Mohamed Tidjani gave the Cheetahs an early lead before Victor Osimhen’s late equalizer ensured a share of the points in this West African derby.
Early Lead and Late Drama
The encounter, dubbed a clash between “Siamese twins” due to the countries’ close ties, saw Benin take the lead in the 16th minute.
Mohamed Tidjani capitalized on an early opportunity to fire past the Nigerian defense, sparking celebrations among the home supporters.
However, Nigeria, already qualified for the tournament, remained undeterred.
In the 81st minute, star striker Victor Osimhen rose to meet a cross and directed a precise header into the net, silencing the Beninese crowd and ensuring the Super Eagles preserved their unbeaten run in Group D.
Qualification Race Intensifies
The result leaves Benin with everything to play for in their final group match. The Cheetahs sit second in the standings with seven points, ahead of Rwanda (five points) and Libya (four points).
With Nigeria firmly atop the group, Benin’s path to qualification is clearer than that of their rivals.
A single point in their decisive clash against Libya on Monday at the June 11 Stadium in Tripoli will secure Benin’s ticket to Morocco.
Head coach Gernot Rohr, reflecting on the team’s performance, emphasized the importance of staying focused: “The fight isn’t over. We showed resilience today, but we must finish the job in Tripoli.”
Nigeria’s Dominance Continues
For Nigeria, the draw was of little consequence, as they had already secured their place in the tournament.
Despite the lack of stakes, the Super Eagles demonstrated their depth and quality, with Osimhen once again proving why he is among Africa’s finest forwards.
Nigeria head coach José Peseiro acknowledged Benin’s determination but expressed satisfaction with his team’s consistency.
“It was a tough match, but we played our part. We remain focused on maintaining our momentum for the tournament in Morocco,” Peseiro said.
All Eyes on Tripoli
The stage is now set for a thrilling conclusion to Group D. Benin’s captain, Steve Mounié, and his teammates will need to muster all their determination to secure the crucial point needed for qualification.
Absent from the Africa Cup of Nations since their historic quarter-final run in 2019, the Cheetahs are determined to make their mark again.
Monday’s showdown in Tripoli promises high stakes and intense drama, with Benin holding the advantage in the race for the second qualification spot.
