The Super Eagles are back in action for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday, November 14 against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on matchday five at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan.
Benin have opted to play their home matches at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny because there are no CAF-approved stadiums in their country.
This match comes exactly one month since Nigeria forfeited their matchday four fixture against Libya under controversial circumstances, where the Nigerian delegation was detained for hours at an abandoned airport, far from the match venue.
As a result, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded Nigeria a 3-0 win, boosting the Super Eagles to 10 points in Group D and putting them just a point away from securing a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Benin Republic, currently second in the standings with six points, four points behind Nigeria, and one ahead of Rwanda, must win on Thursday to control their destiny ahead of the final matchday when they face bottom-side Libya.
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Teams’ Forms and Head-to-Head
The Super Eagles are currently unbeaten in Group D. Apart from their forfeited match against Libya, they are undefeated in their last six AFCON qualifiers, winning five and keeping five clean sheets.
Benin, on the other hand, defeated Libya and Rwanda in Abidjan but lost to Rwanda in Kigali. Their first defeat in Group D came from a 3-0 loss to Nigeria on matchday one.
The Cheetahs have also lost their last three AFCON qualifiers against Nigeria, failing to score in their last two matches.
As for recent meetings, Thursday’s clash will be the third meeting between these West African neighbours in five months, with both sides having a win apiece.
Benin enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June at the same venue as Thursday’s match. Nigeria avenged that defeat with a 3-0 victory in Uyo in September on matchday one of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Overall, Nigeria and Benin have faced each other seven times at the national team level, with the Super Eagles winning six times to Benin’s one victory.
The Super Eagles have five wins, two draws, and three losses in their last 10 matches across all competitions. While, Benin have recorded four wins, two draws, and four losses in their last 10 matches.
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Benin vs Nigeria 2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Team News
Nigeria
Super Eagles acting head coach Augustine Eguaveon has a nearly full-strength squad at his disposal with the return of striker Victor Osimhen, but defender Semi Ajayi misses out with injury.
Players to Watch
Osimhen missed the October qualifiers due to injury but has been in impressive form for his on-loan side Galatasaray, with eight goals and four assists in nine matches this season, including back-to-back braces.
At only 25, Osimhen is already Nigeria’s third all-time leading goalscorer, with 22 goals in 36 appearances for the national team. He also has an exceptional record in AFCON qualifiers, with 16 goals and 8 assists in 13 matches and will be looking to continue this fine form against Benin, having scored in the reverse fixture in Uyo.
Another key player to watch is Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who scored a brace against Benin in the previous fixture, making him Nigeria’s leading scorer in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
The 26-year-old, who finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or and is the favourite for the CAF African Player of the Year, was Nigeria’s joint-top scorer at the 2023 AFCON with three goals.
Lookman has eight goals and five assists in 14 matches this season for Atalanta and has eight goals and four assists in 28 matches for the Super Eagles.
Super Eagles Squad
- Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)
- Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
- Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)
Benin
Head coach Gernot Rohr will be missing experienced defender Cedric Hountondji due to injury.
However, the former Super Eagles manager has recalled five players: David Kiki, Tosin Aiyegun, Lenny Pirringuel, Ryan Adigo, and Serge Obassa for this must-win encounter against his former team.
Players to Watch
For the Cheetahs, Augsburg forward Steve Mounie will be key to their chances against Nigeria, and he already has a history of troubling the Eagles having scored the winner in their 2-1 win over Nigeria in June.
The 30-year-old has 19 goals and four assists in 54 matches for Benin since his debut in 2015 and has scored two goals in four matches in the AFCON qualifiers.
Another player to watch is 22-year-old Burnley forward Andreas Hountondji. He has scored two goals in these AFCON qualifiers, with goals in back-to-back games against Rwanda in October, despite only starting one of the three matches he has played in the qualifiers.
Benin Squad
- Goalkeepers: Dandjinou Marcel; Allagbe Saturnin; Obassa Serge
- Defenders: Adigo Ryan; Fassinou Rodrigue; Kiki David; Moumini Rachid; Ouorou Tamimou; Roche Yohan; Tijani Mohamed; Verdon Olivier
- Midfielders: Matteo Ahlinvi; Ahouangbo Mariano; Ahoudo Gislain; Amoussou Romaric; D’Almeida Sessi; Dokou Dodo; Imourane Hassane; Olaitan Junior
- Strikers: Dossou Jodel; Hountondji Andreas; Mounie Steve; Tosin Aiyegun; Traore Steve; Pirringuel Lenny
Benin vs Nigeria 2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Predictions and Betting Tips
14/11 20:00 Benin Republic – Nigeria
The Super Eagles head into this clash as the clear favourites, with the best betting sites pricing Nigeria to win at odds between 1.57 and 1.60. Given their head-to-head dominance against Benin – six wins to Benin’s one – it’s easy to see why.
And with the lethal Victor Osimhen leading the line, their chances of victory are even stronger. However, knowing that they only need a point to secure their spot in Morocco could lead to complacency.
Benin, on the other hand, will be fully motivated, knowing that anything less than a win could end their qualifying hopes. Expect them to give everything at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday.
Moreover, Cheetahs’ boss Gernot Rohr knows the Super Eagles inside out and will be keen to get one over his former side. While this insight didn’t help much in the reverse fixture, the necessity of a win might give his team the extra push they need.
Benin may take comfort from their last meeting with Nigeria at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, which ended in a 2-1 win for the Cheetahs. However, this stadium also holds good memories for Nigeria, who defeated Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, and Angola on their way to the final of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
With Benin needing a win, Nigeria will likely have plenty of opportunities to exploit space, especially with Osimhen and Lookman in attack. This match could see plenty of goals from both sides.
If you’re looking to bet on the game, consider the goals market with Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals as solid choices.
Additionally, backing Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman to score could be worthwhile given their current form.
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Benin Republic vs Nigeria 2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Where to Bet
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Where to Watch the Benin Republic vs Nigeria 2025 AFCON Qualifiers
The 2025 AFCON qualifiers matchday five clash between the Benin Republic and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan will air live on Afrosport TV, NTA, AIT, Afia TV, Wazobia Max, and BON (Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria) member stations anywhere in Nigeria.
For those in Nigeria, there’s also the option to stream it for free on the Afrosport TV Facebook page.
Benin vs Nigeria: Match Information & Kick-off Time
- Date: November 14, 2024
- Venue: Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 (8pm)
Match Officials
Senegalese official Issa Sy, who officiated when the Super Eagles beat Angola 1-0 at the same venue in the quarter-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, will serve as the referee for Thursday’s game, starting at 7pm CIV time (8pm Nigeria time).
He will be assisted by compatriots Djibril Camara (assistant 1), Nouha Bangoura (assistant 2), and El Hadji Amadou Sy (fourth official).
Ivorian Rene Williams Sere will act as the commissioner, while Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido will serve as the referee assessor.