When they found out their work in the qualifiers was done, the Nigerians were probably more keen on celebrating than on facing Benin in the heavy rain in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. At least, that’s how the Super Eagles performed. Lookman, Iwobi, Osimhen, and Iheanacho in the starting lineup were not enough to break Benin’s defence as the home team took the lead through Tijani in the 16th minute and held out until the 81st when the connection between Lookman and Osimhen worked for the first time, and Galatasaray forward brought a point to his team – 1-1.FT in Abidjan. Benin 1–1 Nigeria| See you in Morocco and thank you all for your support #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/kdm75RfX7X— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 14, 2024 Rwanda’s earlier defeat to Libya at home confirmed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON and ensured Benin kept the second place in Group D regardless of the outcome of their clash against the Super Eagles. Still, Nigeria boss Augustine Eguavoen opted for the strong XI, including his most prominent firepower, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.The conditions in Ivory Coast, where Benin play their home games, were abysmal due to heavy rain, and thus, neither team could set some playing pace. Still, the Cheetahs made the first chance in the 16th minute and used it to break the deadlock! The defender Mohamed Tijani was the most skilful in the box after a corner, sending a header into Nigeria’s net through the keeper Stanley Nwabali’s legs for 1-0!⚽️GOAL | 🇧🇯 Benin 1-0 Nigeria 🇳🇬 | Mohamed Tijanipic.twitter.com/KWHcPBSLPR— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) November 14, 2024 The opener did not wake up the Nigerians, who weren’t in the mood to play, especially after finding out the result of Rwanda’s match and booking the ticket to Morocco. Benin were better after the goal as well, while the Super Eagles could barely leave their box until the final ten minutes of the first period and thus were deservedly behind at the break.A couple of changes Eguavoen made during the break brought little to his team as Benin’s offside traps kept functioning ideally and the Super Eagles had no solution for the Cheetahs’ defence. Nigeria had their first decent chance only after 61 minutes when Bruno Onyemaechi’s effort went narrowly wide off the left post.Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface also got the chance in the final 20 minutes as Nigeria desperately pursued the equalizer, but neither he nor his teammates could find a way to break Benin’s solid defence. At the same time, the home team manager, Gernot Rohr, refreshed his ranks with subs to maintain defensive stability.⚽️GOAL | 🇧🇯 Benin 1-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬 | Osimhenpic.twitter.com/gwe2ET3Fgq— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) November 14, 2024 Yet, in the 81st minute, the Super Eagles finally created a proper goal-scoring situation for Osimhen, and the Galatasaray forward took no prisoners, sending Lookman’s terrific cross into the net with a header – 1-1! The Nigerians went for the winner, but Benin managed to hold out and remain undefeated against the Super Eagles for the second time in their last three encounters. Moreover, the Cheetahs are now two points ahead of Rwanda and three of Libya, which makes them favourites for the second position and the AFCON ticket.Olunga promises to put smiles on Kenyans faces after Zimbabwe clashBarely, but still a win! After 90 minutes of rather uninteresting football with little chances, Senegal broke Burkina Faso’s deadlock seven minutes before the end through Habib Diarra and probably secured the group’s top spot – 1-0. Since both teams already qualified for the AFCON, the Stallions can be satisfied despite the defeat.SUPER SUB HABIB DIARRA 🇸🇳(2004) BREAKS THE DEADLOCK WITH A GREAT FINISH FROM DISTANCE FOR HIS FIRST EVER SENIOR INTERNATIONAL GOAL!!!📽️ @GoalsXtrapic.twitter.com/upG0IwrTV9— Football Report (@FootballReprt) November 14, 2024 The duel between Burkina Faso and Senegal had more of a friendly match character, given that both rivals had already secured their spots in Morocco. Ahead of tonight’s clash, the teams had ten points each, and this game could only answer the question of whether the Stallions or the Lions of Teranga will be closer to winning Group L before the last round.Six minutes into the game, Senegal created the first decent chance when Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye entered the box from the flank, but Burkina Faso custodian Farid Ouedraogo managed to deflect his attempt. Four minutes later, the home team responded, but Edouard Mendy stopped Ousseni Bouda’s close-range header.These attempts marked the first period as the Lions of Teranga had a few attempts through Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane but failed to break the deadlock before the break. On the other hand, the home team did not manage to crown their fair first-half performance with an opener.5 key battles expected in Harambee Stars’ crunch 2025 AFCON qualifier against ZimbabweAfter a rather dull initial period after the break, Burkina Faso missed a massive chance in the 54th minute when Cedric Badolo got Mendy’s deflection and sent the ball into the stands from close range, missing the entire goal. Thirteen minutes later, Mane’s effort went slightly wide off Burkina Faso’s post.Ten minutes before the end, Mendy saved his team with a superb save after the Stallions’ corner kick and his team congratulated him on that stop with an opener! Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra, who was subbed in twenty minutes earlier, did it all by himself, made a superb solo effort and netted from 25 meters with a fantastic strike – 1-0!Even though neither team put in some amazing performance, Senegal still showed who was the boss in the group, and noted a triumph (probably) for the top spot and a significant confidence boost. Burkina Faso also won’t experience this defeat tragically, since their primary goal, the qualification for the AFCON, was fulfilled.AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS – QUALIFIERSWednesday Namibia – Cameroon 0-0Liberia – Togo 1-0 (0-0)/Sangare 83 pen/Chad – Sierra Leone 1-1 (1-1)/Thiam 34 pen – Dumbuya 29/Thursday Equatorial Guinea – Algeria 0-0Lesotho – Central African Republic 1-0 (0-0)/Mokhachane 51/South Sudan – Congo 3-2 (2-2)/Ezibon 31, 45+2, Elly 84 – Ibayi 26, 35/Burundi – Malawi 0-0Madagascar – Tunisia 2-3 (2-2)/Memmiche 20 og, Amada 45+3 – Rafia 6, Ltaief 39, Abdi 90+3/Rwanda – Libya 0-1 (0-0)/Saad Mohamed 84/Niger – Sudan 4-0 (3-0)/Sosah 6, 45+3 pen, Oumarou 29, Badamassi 51/Benin – Nigeria 1-1 (1-0)/Tijani 16 – Osimhen 81/Burkina Faso – Senegal 0-1 (0-0)/Diarra 83/Friday 16.00: (2.35) Botswana (2.75) Mauritania (3.50)16.00: (2.95) Uganda (3.00) S.Africa (2.65)19.00: (2.60) Cape Verde (3.05) Egypt (2.70)19.00: (4.80) Eswatini (3.45) Guinea B. (1.80)19.00: (4.20) Mozambique (3.20) Mali (2.00)19.00: (3.90) Zambia (3.20) Ivory Coast (1.95)19.00: (2.60) Zimbabwe (2.90) Kenya (2.85)22.00: (3.20) Angola (3.10) Ghana (2.40)22.00: (5.40) Gabon (3.50) Morocco (1.72)Saturday 19.00: (3.30) Ethiopia (2.75) Tanzania (2.45)22.00: (2.45) Guinea (3.10) Dr Congo (3.15)***odds are subject to change***
