Eguavoen: We want to finish AFCON qualifiers without defeat
...after Eagles draw with Benin, qualification for Morocco 2025
Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has said the objective of the team is to conclude the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers without a defeat.
Nigeria had secured qualification for the finals before taking to the pitch against the Cheetahs after Libya recorded a surprising victory over Rwanda away from home.
The unexpected win by Libya against Rwanda in Kigali had given Benin the impetus to aim for the win against Nigeria, which would have all but secured their qualification for Morocco next year alongside the Eagles in Group D.
However, the Eagles came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on Thursday night.
Mohammed Tijani’s header in the 16th minute had put them into the lead, which they held on to for the first half. Victor Osimhen who was returning to the team after missing the last game against the Mediterranean Knights in October, fluffed his line in the 40th minute when he headed wide a perfect cross by Bruno Onyemaechi.
The three-time African champions continued to mount the pressure in the second half and with nine minutes left to play, Osimhen headed home a cross from substitute Moses Simon despite being under pressure from two Benin defenders.
“Coming into this game, we haven’t lost a game, we wanted to maintain that and try to win the game, worse case scenario a draw. We wanted to qualify without losing a game. And we knew what we are capable of, we have the qualities; we have what it takes to beat anybody, anytime, then it was a bit under pressure,” the coach said at the post-match press conference.
“We didn’t look at that, having qualified here and die down. No. Nigeria is a team that is respected, almost won the AFCON the last time, so we tried to maintain that standard.”
Nigeria now have 11 points from five matches in the qualifiers, comprising three wins and two draws. They face Rwanda who desperately need points at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday.
