By Sports Editor
Victor Osimhen marked his return to international football with the equaliser as Nigeria drew 1-1 with Benin in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
The Galatasaray striker, who missed the October international break, glanced home substitute Moses Simon’s cross with around nine minutes of normal time remaining.
Benin had deservedly led in the first half through Mohamed Tijani in Abidjan, but they were unable to see out what would have been a second victory over the Super Eagles in 2024.
The result means Nigeria are guaranteed a place at the 2025 AFCON finals with one game to spare in qualifying, as they cannot now be caught at the top of Group D.
Benin 1 Tijani 16′
Nigeria 1 Osimhen 81′
Starting lineups:
Benin (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Marcel Dandjinou (GK) — 11. Abdoul Rachid Moumini, 5. Yohan Roche, 13. Mohamed Tijani, 3. Tamimou Ouorou — 15. Sessi D’Almeida, 8. Hassane Imourane — 10. Tosin Aiyegun, 19. Dokou Dodo, 18. Junior Olaitan — 9. Steve Mounie
Nigeria (3-4-3, right to left): 23. Stanley Nwabali (GK) — 6. Gabriel Osho, 5. William Troost-Ekong, 21. Calvin Bassey — 2. Ola Aina, 4. Wilfred Ndidi, 17. Alex Iwobi, 13. Bruno Onyemaechi — 14. Kelechi Iheanacho, 9. Victor Osimhen, 7. Ademola Lookman
Benin took a surprise lead 14 minutes in when Tijani made the most of a completely free header close to the penalty spot after Nigeria fell asleep for a short corner.
Junior Olaitan stung the palms of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from the edge of the box as the underdogs continued to threaten the Super Eagles goal.
Chances were scarce before the break for Augustine Eguavoen’s team, although Osimhen wasted a glorious chance to level, heading wide after being picked out in an almost deserted penalty area by William Troost-Ekong’s cross.
Bruno Onyemaechi bobbled a shot just wide of the right-hand post on the hour mark, but although Nigeria had largely assumed control of possession, they could not create meaningful opportunities to equalise. Indeed, it was Benin who carried the greater threat on the counter-attack, with one move only breaking down after Ola Aina’s strong recovery run.
Yet Osimhen proved the hero in the game’s closing stages. Substitute Moses Simon worked space on the left wing and swung over a pinpoint cross, with Nigeria’s No. 9 glancing home a good header under pressure.
There was to be no late winner, but the draw was enough to secure Nigeria’s spot in Morocco next December by virtue of Rwanda’s defeat to Libya.
Nigeria started the day in first place in the standings and are now guaranteed to finish at the top of the group due to their draw with Benin and Rwanda’s loss to Libya.
Star striker Victor Osimhen is fit and firing once again with eight goals in nine appearances for Galatasaray this season as he returns to Super Eagles duty.
Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar provides another option in attack on his first call-up since suffering an ACL injury.
Defender Olisa Ndah is absent once more alongside West Brom’s Semi Ajayi, with Augustine Eguavoen bolstering his defensive roster with Auxerre’s Gabriel Osho and Victor Collins of Nigerian club Nasarawa United.
Nigeria starting XI (3-4-3, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osho, Troost-Ekong, Bassey — Aina, Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyemaechi — Iheanacho, Osimhen, Lookman
