Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen praised his players’ resilience following Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Benin Republic Cheetahs in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The match, which was a tense affair, saw Benin take the lead in the 16th minute through Mohammed Tijani, who fired in from close range.
Despite Nigeria’s early struggles, the Super Eagles showed character, pushing for an equaliser in the second half.
The breakthrough came in the 82nd minute when Napoli striker Victor Osimhen capitalised on a loose ball in the penalty area to level the score and secure a vital point for Nigeria.
“I congratulate the players for a spirited display in the second half that earned us the equaliser,” Eguavoen said after the match.
“It was a tough game, and the downpour made it difficult for both teams. But we fought hard, and I am happy we’ve secured our ticket to the AFCON finals.”
The result leaves Nigeria well-placed in their qualifying group, having already confirmed their place in the 2025 AFCON finals ahead of their final group match against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.
Eguavoen’s side will now turn their attention to the final qualifier, where they will aim to finish top of the group.
However, the coach expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall performance in the campaign, acknowledging that the draw in Abidjan secured a critical step toward the tournament.