Sports
Osimhen nets equaliser as Nigeria, Benin draw in AFCONQ
Victor Osimhen scored a late equaliser for Nigeria in their 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday night.
The game which was their matchday five fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, saw Benin Republic opening scoring in the 16th minute.
Mohamed Tijani finished off following a defensive error by Nigeria, and Benin stayed ahead until the 81st minute when Osimhen headed a cross into the net to equalise.
The Super Eagles already sealed qualification for the 2025 tournament after Libya defeated Rwanda 1-0 earlier in the day, and are now on 11 points at the top of Group D.
Read Also: Lookman, Salah shortlisted for Globe Soccer Awards
Benin would have also secured qualification if they had eventually beaten Nigeria, but Osimhen’s goal stopped Gernot Rohr’s men, who now have their final qualifier against Libya to battle for a spot.
Meanwhile, Osimhen becomes Nigeria’s joint second all-time goalscorer as he matches Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record.
The Galatasaray striker achieved the feat in 37 appearances as against 46 for Odegbami.
Nigeria will take on Rwanda in their final qualifier on Monday. The game is a dead rubber encounter.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
