Nigeria’s Super Eagles stand among the 24 nations set to compete for the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) title in Morocco later this year.
Renowned as one of Africa’s football giants, Nigeria boasts three AFCON championships. Yet, with a wealth of emerging talent, the team is eager to add another trophy to their collection.
Having finished as runners-up in the previous tournament, expectations are sky-high this time around, especially since the core squad remains largely unchanged from the last AFCON campaign.
Before the tournament kicks off in December, this article delves into Nigeria’s journey through the AFCON qualifiers and how they secured their place at the continent’s premier football event.
Augustine Eguavoen: The Reliable Interim Leader
Following Nigeria’s second-place finish at the 2023 AFCON, head coach Jose Peseiro departed in March 2024. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) took nearly two months to appoint Finidi George as his successor.
Finidi’s tenure was brief and turbulent, lasting only two World Cup qualifying matches and marked by a public outburst from star striker Victor Osimhen, which ultimately led to his dismissal.
In the wake of this upheaval, Augustine Eguavoen was named interim coach. Despite the instability and concerns over administrative missteps, Eguavoen steadied the ship and guided the team through the remainder of the qualifiers. This was not his first time stepping in as a caretaker coach for the Super Eagles during transitional periods.
Strong Start: Dominant Victory Over Benin
Nigeria was grouped alongside Libya, Benin, and Rwanda for the qualifiers. Their opening match was a home fixture against Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Just three months earlier, Benin had edged Nigeria 2-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, making this encounter a potential stumbling block. A loss or draw here would have intensified pressure on the Super Eagles for the remaining matches.
However, under Eguavoen’s guidance, Nigeria displayed superior quality, cruising to a 3-0 triumph. Victor Osimhen netted twice, while Ademola Lookman added a goal, setting a confident tone for the campaign ahead.
Challenges Without Osimhen: Stalemate in Rwanda
Despite Osimhen’s impressive performance against Benin, he sustained an injury ahead of the second match against Rwanda at Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium.
Coach Eguavoen handed Victor Boniface a starting role, but the young forward struggled to make an impact. Osimhen came on in the second half but was visibly hampered and unable to find the net. The match concluded in a goalless draw.
Controversy in Libya
Following the initial round of fixtures in September 2024, Nigeria faced Libya in a crucial double-header in October.
The first leg at Godswill Akpabio Stadium saw Nigeria eke out a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a late goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 86th minute.
However, the return leg descended into chaos. Libya resorted to unsporting tactics, including diverting the Nigerian team’s flight to an abandoned airport with no communication, transport, or facilities available.
Libya 2022 v Libya 2024
Enyimba spent 24 hours stranded at an airport after their opponents changed the venue without notice (Frame 1/2)
Enyimba were set to face Libya’s Al Ittihad.
Super Eagles held hostage in Libya after refusing plane to land in Tripoli (Frame 3/4)
They can… pic.twitter.com/2rvxU04wke
– NPFL Tori Podcast (@NpflTori) October 13, 2024
The Nigerian squad was effectively stranded for nearly 24 hours before returning home. The match was subsequently canceled, and CAF penalized Libya by awarding Nigeria a 3-0 forfeit victory along with three points.
Decisive Moment: Securing Qualification Against Benin
The fixture that ultimately confirmed Nigeria’s spot at AFCON 2025 was the return match against Benin, held at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
Needing just a draw to qualify, Nigeria faced an early setback when Mohamed Tijani put Benin ahead in the 16th minute, threatening to derail their campaign and increase pressure ahead of the final game against Rwanda.
Demonstrating resilience, Osimhen rose to the occasion once more, netting a crucial equalizer in the 81st minute. The 1-1 draw was enough to book Nigeria’s ticket to Morocco.
Rwanda Upset: A Sobering End to Qualifiers
With qualification secured, expectations were high for Nigeria to finish the qualifiers strongly against Rwanda.
Despite fielding their strongest lineup, the Super Eagles struggled to close out the match. Samuel Chukwueze gave Nigeria the lead in the 59th minute, but Rwanda fought back with goals from Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti, handing Nigeria a surprising 2-1 defeat.
This unexpected loss disappointed fans and sparked criticism of coach Eguavoen, leading to calls for a new managerial appointment. Consequently, the NFF brought in former Mali coach Eric Chelle to take charge of the team.
Key Takeaway from Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Qualification
The entire qualification phase unfolded rapidly over just three months-from September to November 2024-highlighting the importance of securing early victories.
Nigeria’s ability to clinch three wins in their first four matches allowed them to qualify comfortably without relying on complex calculations or last-minute results.
Had they faltered early, as they did in the World Cup qualifiers, the path to AFCON would have been far more precarious. Their swift qualification underscores the value of starting strong in tournament campaigns.
With the Africa Cup of Nations just weeks away and fixtures looming, the Super Eagles are poised to chase a fourth continental crown.
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