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AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Rohr Begs Super Eagles For Favour Ahead of Rwanda Clash

The head coach of Benin Republic, Gernot Rohr has begged Nigeria to beat Rwanda.
According to Rohr, he is hoping that Nigeria helps their bid to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Recall that Rohr’s men failed to beat the Super Eagles on Thursday day, with the qualifying fixture ending 1-1 in Abidjan.
Mohamed Tijani’s goal had given the Beninoise the lead in the 16th minute, before Victor Osimhen drew the game level in the 81st minute.
The result leaves the Squirrels with all to do in the final match of the qualifying series away to Libya.
A win of a low-score defeat will see Benin Republic qualify, only if Nigeria beat Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.
“We have to avoid defeat. But you don’t go to play for a draw,” Rohr said.
 
“So we will use our confidence from the performance today (against Nigeria) for the game in Benghazi.
 
“Hopefully, the Super Eagles will beat Rwanda in Uyo.”
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Victor Osimhen Equals Odegbami, Becomes Super Eagles’ Second Joint-Top Scorer (See Top 5)

Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian forward, has solidified his place in the country’s football history by becoming the joint-second all-time top scorer for the Super Eagles.

Osimhen achieved the milestone on Thursday night, scoring his 23rd goal for Nigeria in a crucial 1-1 draw against Benin Republic during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

The Galatasaray striker now shares the second spot on the nation’s scoring chart with the legendary Segun Odegbami.

The late Rashidi Yekini remains Nigeria’s top scorer with an unmatched tally of 37 goals.

At just 25 years old, Osimhen has the potential to climb higher on the scoring chart.

He will have another opportunity to surpass Odegbami and edge closer to Yekini’s record when the Super Eagles face Rwanda’s Amavubi in their final 2025 AFCON qualifier on Monday.

Osimhen’s consistent goal-scoring exploits continue to solidify his reputation as one of Africa’s finest footballers and a pivotal figure for the Super Eagles.

Check out Nigeria’s all-time scorers [Top 5]

Rashidi Yekini – 37 Goals

Victor Osimhen – 23 Goals

Segun Odegbami – 23 Goals

Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 21 Goals

Ikechukwu Uche – 19 Goals

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AFCON 2025Q: Super Eagles Suffer Flight Hitch In Abidjan

The Super Eagles were delayed for a few hours in Abidjan on Friday following a change in their travel plans back to Uyo.

Augustine Eguavoen’s side was in action against Benin Republic at the Felix Houphet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Thursday night.

The three-time African champions held their hosts to a 1-1 draw.

The contingent was earlier expected to depart Abidjan by 9am local time.

They are expected to land in Lagos first before making their way to Uyo.

The players will to skip training today.

The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next Monday.

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AFCON 2025Q: Benin vs Nigeria – Date, Time And Where To Watch

Benin Republic is poised to face Nigeria in a crucial match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The encounter promises to be intense, as the two West African rivals have built a fierce competitive history.

In June, Benin secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at this very venue during the first leg of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
However, Nigeria responded with a dominant 3-0 win in September during their AFCON qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr will be under pressure to secure a victory, as a loss could jeopardize Benin’s hopes of advancing to the AFCON tournament.

In his quest to strengthen the squad, Rohr has recalled five players: David Kiki, Tosin Aiyegun, Lenny Pirringuel, Ryan Adigo, and Serge Obassa. However, the team will be without experienced defender Cedric Hountondji, who is sidelined due to an injury.

On the Nigerian side, head coach Augustine Eguavoen has assembled a formidable squad, including star striker Victor Osimhen, who missed the previous match against Libya.

Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman is also in the squad, adding strength to Nigeria’s offensive front as they aim to maintain momentum in their bid for a fourth AFCON title.

Benin vs Nigeria: Date and Time

The penultimate match for both teams will take place at the Stade de Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday, November 14, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time.

Benin vs Nigeria: Where to watch

Fans across Africa can catch the action live on SuperSport and Startimes, while the CAF website and designated YouTube channels will also stream the game.

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BREAKING: CAF Awards Three Points, Three Goals To Nigeria, Fines Libya $50,000 Over Missed Game

On Saturday, October 26, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, awarded three points and three goals to the Super Eagles following the botched 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

The Super Eagles consolidated their top position in the group following the verdict.

The Nigerian side now have 10 points from four matches, four points clear of nearest rivals Benin.

Libya remain bottom of the group with one point.

A draw with Benin in Abidjan next month will qualify the Super Eagles for the 2025 AFCON to be hosted by Morocco in December 2025.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also fined the Libya Football Federation $50,000.

The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the decision.

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AFCON Qualifiers: Troost-Ekong Celebrates As CAF Awards Victory To Nigeria, Fines Libya

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, is in high spirits as he celebrates the ruling by the Confederation of African Football regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Libya and Nigeria.

Recall that the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football awarded Nigeria three points and three goals from the abandoned Matchday 4 encounter in the 2025 AFCON qualification series, scheduled to be played between Libya and Nigeria in Benina on 15 October.

In its ruling on Saturday, signed by chairman Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board determined that the Libyan Football Federation was in breach of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The Libyan Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The match No. 87, Libya v Nigeria, of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi), is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (with a record of 3-0),” the ruling read in part.

The LFF was also ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000, with payment due within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

The outcome of the Disciplinary Committee means that Nigeria is close to qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

As a result, the Super Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda has five points. Bottom-placed Libya has only one point and is out of the running for qualification.

A win or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14 November (a matchday 5 encounter) will secure the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025/January 2026.

The Nigerian team had boycotted the match citing safety concerns, after being left stranded at the remote Al-Abraq airport on the outskirts of Benghazi for over 22 hours.

The LFF, in response, accused the Nigeria Football Federation of not cooperating with it regarding the travel itinerary.

It also alleged that the Libyan national team had suffered the same fate in Nigeria during the reverse fixture a week earlier, claiming the team was left stranded at Port Harcourt Airport by Nigerian authorities.

Reacting in a post via his verified X.com, @WTroostEkong, on Saturday, the Super Eagles skipper said the development means the Super Eagles are one step closer to the AFCON 2025.

He wrote, “JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“The plane was diverted 300km from the scheduled airport, even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025.”

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AFCONQ: CAF Postpones Libya vs Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football, CAF has announced the postponement of Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifier between Libya and Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Tuesday.
The game was slated to be played this evening in Libya.
In an official statement, CAF indicated that the fixture would not proceed as planned.
The football body did not, however, provide specific reasons for the postponement.
CAFF will now take the matter to the appropriate bodies for further consideration.
The statement added, “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifier fixture between Libya and Nigeria will not take place as scheduled tonight,” the short statement reads.
“The matter will be referred to the competent CAF bodies.”
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Super Eagles Arrive Nigeria After Ordeal In Libya

The Nigerian Super Eagles have arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State, after their harrowing ordeal in Libya ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The players and Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, officials were stranded for over 13 hours at Al Abraq airport in Libya ahead of the game which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, October 15, in Benghazi.

They arrived in Libya on Sunday but their flight was diverted to an airport which is two hours from their destination. They were also not allowed to leave the airport and they had no access to necessities like food, water, or a place to rest.

Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral, prompting condemnation from Nigerian authorities and football fans.

Following the ordeal, they vowed not to play in Libya and they later revealed that their plane was being fueled so they could return to Nigeria.

They have now arrived in Nigeria.

Super Eagles Captain,  William Troost-Ekong and goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali took to their Instagram pages to confirm their arrival.

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CAF Issues Statement On Treatment Of Super Eagles In Libya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a statement concerning the ill-treatment of Nigerians in Libya.
CAF frowned at the development and has now referred the case to its disciplinary board.
See statement below:
 
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.
 
The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
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AFCON: Eguavoen Recounts ‘Traumatic Experience’ at Libya Airport

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen has described his team’s ordeal in Libya as traumatic.
According to him, they went through a “horrible ordeal” in Libya.
The Nigerian contingent were held hostage at an abandoned airport, more than two hours drive from the venue of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights.
The team was denied access to water and food.
The Super Eagles later pulled out of the game and returned to Nigeria on Monday evening.
“Thanks to the Libyans for letting us go, but it was a horrible 18-20 hours of experience and we don’t want to go through that again,” said Eguavoen on arrival in Nigeria Monday.
 
“We were held hostage, we could not have played this match under these circumstances.
 
“We know how football can unite the entire world, but in this regard, for them to act like this, I cannot comprehend seriously.”