Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has praised his team’s resilience after they fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Thursday night.
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The hard-fought match was part of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, and the result sees Nigeria cement their place in the tournament finals.
Playing in challenging conditions, the match kicked off with Benin showing early dominance. Mohammed Tijani broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, delivering a powerful header that gave the Cheetahs the lead. Despite being on the back foot for much of the first half, the Super Eagles showed determination as they regrouped after the break.
The second half saw Nigeria pushing hard for an equalizer, and their efforts paid off when Victor Osimhen, ever the dependable talisman, struck with a perfectly timed header just eight minutes from full time. The goal not only secured a crucial point but also showcased the fighting spirit that Eguavoen was quick to commend.
“It was a tough game, and I congratulate the players for a spirited display in the second half that earned us the equalizer,” Eguavoen told thenff.com. “The downpour made the game difficult for both teams, but I am happy we have the AFCON finals ticket in the bag ahead of the final game of the series against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.”
With this result, Nigeria’s ticket to the AFCON finals is secured, and the team can now focus on fine-tuning their strategies in the final group-stage match against Rwanda. Fans will be eager to see how Eguavoen and his squad build on this momentum as they prepare for the tournament proper.