AFCON2025 Qualifiers: Osimhen’s landmark goal salvages draw for Nigeria against Benin in Abidjan

In a rare outcome after eleven matches, Nigeria and Benin Republic finally settled for a draw, with the Super Eagles retaining their eight-win lead over their West African neighbours.

Victor Osimhen scored a late equaliser to secure a point for the Super Eagles of Nigeria against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in their penultimate fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying series at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Thursday, November 15. 

After missing Nigeria’s last match against Libya due to injury, Osimhen made a return to interim head coach Austine Eguaveon’s lineup, alongside Kelehi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman in attack, as Gabriel Osho was also handed his debut in Nigeria’s colours. 

Though Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda had already sealed the Super Eagles’s qualification to the AFCON 2025 in Morocco, the three-time African champions looked like a side all out for the complementary win against Benin until the 17th minute when Tijani Mohammed leveraged a routine set piece to put the Genort Rohr-led side ahead. 

The Super Eagles had an opportunity to draw level a few minutes later, but their biggest chance was wasted by Osimhen as the AFCON 2013 champions headed into the break behind.

The trio of Gabriel, Alex Iwobi, and Kelechi Iheancho were replaced by Raphael Onyedika, Victor Boniface, and Moses Simon ahead of the second half, but it wasn’t until the 81st minute when Eguavoen’s change paid off. About 35 minutes after his introduction, Moses sent a teasing cross into the box for Osimhen to pounce home for his 23rd goal in his 38th appearances, equalling Segun Odegbami as the second-highest goalscorer in Nigeria’s history.

Osimhen’s landmark goal summed up the result in Abidjan, as Benin and Nigeria settled for their first-ever draw in their eleventh meeting. 

With Nigeria now through to the AFCON 2025—their 21st appearance—the three-time African Champions will wrap up their qualifying campaign against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday, November 18.