The Super Eagles have been handed a great chance to avenge their loss to Benin Republic after being drawn with their fellow West African neighbours in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification draw.
The official draw was held by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inside the SuperSport studio in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday afternoon with a total of 48 teams engaged.
The Super Eagles also drew the Amavubi of Rwanda, another team in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group and which they next play in the series in March 2025 as well as the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.
All four teams are in Group D. The six-match qualifying series has been spread over the FIFA windows in September, October and November with two games in each seven-day window.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued their abysmal run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
After 27 minutes, Raphael Onyedika broke the deadlock, receiving a pass from Samuel Chukwueze near the box and skillfully slotting the ball into the corner of the right post, leaving goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou helpless.
They unfortunately could not hold onto their lead, as ten minutes later, Jodel Dossou capitalized on a defensive error by Nigeria to level the score in front of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Benin then extended their lead before the halftime whistle when striker Steve Mounié capitalized on a loose ball from a corner kick.
Their World Cup qualifying reverse fixture is not until the final day of the qualification series (6th – 14th October 2025) but both teams have much earlier battles to fight later this year.
That is the situation as they aim to be among the 24 countries that will participate in the 35th Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco, 21st December 2025 – 18th January 2026.
