Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a 2025 Africa Cup Nations, AFCON, qualifier on Thursday night at 8pm.
The match will be played at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
Nigeria head to the game after being awarded three points and three goals in a ruling on October 26 by CAF’s disciplinary committee for their abandoned game against Libya.
DAILY POST reports that the Nigerian men’s national team was detained at the Al-Abraq Airport for over 18 hours after they arrived for the second leg of the 2025 AFCON qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights.
Benin Republic, on their part, head to the game after losing 2-1 against Rwanda in their last game.
The last time Nigeria and Benin Republic met was in September at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The Super Eagles won 3-0, thanks to Ademola Lookman’s brace and Victor Osimhen’s goal.
Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen has since unveiled his 23-man squad for the qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic on Thursday in Abidjan and Rwanda on Monday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Eguavoen included hot-inform striker, Victor Osimhen back to the squad.
DAILY POST reports that Osimhen returns to the team after missing out the last time due to injury.
The Super Eagles currently top the AFCON qualifier Group D with 10 points from four matches.
Eguavoen’s side are ahead of second position Benin Republic, who have 6 points from four matches also.
Behind Gernot Rohr’s side in third position is Rwanda, who have 5 points from the same number of matches.
Bottom of the group is Libya with just one point after four matches.
DAILY POST reports that Nigeria need just a point out of their last two matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda to book their place in next year’s AFCON tournament in Morocco.
The likes of Morocco, Algeria, Angola, DR Congo, Egypt, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Cameroon have all qualified for the AFCON 2025.
Speaking with DAILY POST about the upcoming AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Benin Republic, Isa Saleh, co-founder of Borno Junior League, admitted that the encounter will be tough.
Saleh also expressed confidence that Eguavoen’s men will beat their neighbouring country and top Group D.
“To be frank with you the match is going to be tough….but I have no doubt we are going to win and top the group,” Saleh told DAILY POST.
“The reason I said that is because if you look at our current form and the way we played our last match, you can see the Eagles are hungry to play.”
When asked for his prediction, Saleh added, “Well, I’m not good at prediction but when it comes to Green boys I can say Super Eagles will win 3-1.”
Also, speaking with DAILY POST, former TTC Football Academy coach, Emmanuel Brown, expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will take all three points against Benin.
Brown, however, admitted that the Beninoise will enjoy more home support in Ivory Coast than Nigeria because it is a Francophone country.
“Well, one thing I know for sure is that the Super Eagles of Nigeria are the best team in Africa at the moment.
“It’s no longer news that the Super Eagles attackers are firing from all cylinders. The likes of Osimhen, Victor Boniface and Lookman, these guys are just too much for defenders.
“Week in and out they are just proving themselves,” Brown told DAILY POST.
“The Super Eagles have a formidable and a very reliable team in Africa now that any team that is playing against them should know that they are in for a very big task.
“So I’m very optimistic and confident that the Super Eagles will come out victorious against Benin. Forget the fact that Nigeria is playing the game in Ivory Coast.
“The Beninoise are good because they have a good coach, Rohr. Their defensive line is OK.
“What happened between Nigeria and Benin in that 2026 World Cup qualifier cannot repeat itself. At least you saw the difference when Eguavoen came.
“So it doesn’t matter whether the Super Eagles are playing in Côte d’Ivoire or Benin Republic. But one thing I know for sure is that the match is going to be a total victory for the Super Eagles.
“Because every player wants to prove himself now in the current Super Eagles squad.
“It’s a team that is loaded with talent and whether you like it or not any opportunity to any player now, then you just have to do your best.
“You saw what happened in the past, some key players had to lose their shirt before Eguavoen came back and started recalling them back.
“So I’m very optimistic that whether the match is played in Ivory Coast or not the Super Eagles will come out with three points.”
On his prediction, Brown added, “Well, we cannot shy away from the fact that the Super Eagles will be playing in a Francophone country and Benin too is also a Francophone country.
“So, whether we like it or not, they will enjoy home support more than Nigeria. But trust me it is not a big deal. I see Nigeria winning that match 2-1,” he stated.
