Four points and two clean sheets from Nigeria’s first two matchdays in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda were perhaps more than fans had expected, given the widespread pessimism and chaotic circumstances surrounding the Super Eagles.
Just six months after reaching the final of the 2023 AFCON, fans were already doubtful about Nigeria’s chances of making it to the 2025 edition following a disastrous start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June. A draw with South Africa and a defeat to Benin not only put Nigeria at risk of missing a second consecutive World Cup but also led to the resignation of head coach Finidi George after only two matches.
However, the general sense of despair was further deepened with the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) comical handling of the coaching situation.
After failing to secure either of their top candidates – former Sweden coach Janne Anderson or two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Hervé Renard- the NFF announced German coach Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach on August 27. However, just four days later, they revealed that the deal with the former Stuttgart and Wolfsburg manager had fallen through due to “tax details“.
As if that weren’t enough, star striker Victor Osimhen found himself in a transfer dispute with Napoli, which saw him frozen out of the club’s plans before he secured a loan move to Fernabahce on transfer deadline day. As a result, he joined the Super Eagles camp without having played a single minute of competitive football this season.
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Eguaveon to the Rescue
Amidst the chaos, the NFF turned to familiar face Augustine Eguavoen, head of the technical department and a former member of Nigeria’s iconic 1994 squad, to take charge on an interim basis for the games against Benin and Rwanda.
Fans could be forgiven for their lack of enthusiasm at the announcement, given Eguavoen’s previous history with the national team, including failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and an early exit at the 2021 AFCON.
However, to his credit, Eguavoen managed to surpass (modest) expectations, shifting the national mood from despair to optimism, with increasing calls for him to be appointed head coach on a permanent basis.
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Eagles Shine Against Benin and Rwanda
It was perhaps good fortune that Nigeria opened their 2025 AFCON Group D qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, two countries they have a solid record against.
While Benin shocked Nigeria in the 2026 WCQ, that was only their first win over the Eagles in seven matches. Moreover, Les Guépards have a dismal record in AFCON qualifiers, with just one win in their last nine games. They’d also failed to score against Nigeria in four of their last six head-to-heads.
As such, Nigeria’s 3-0 victory at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, September 7, was not out of the ordinary, and fans would have taken great pleasure in the vibrant, purposeful display of the team.
Ademola Lookman was particularly impressive, continuing from where he left off at the 2023 AFCON with a brace, including a spectacular opener, to celebrate his recent nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or and bolster his chances of being named CAF Men’s Player of the Year.
Osimhen, meanwhile, belied any signs of rustiness, coming off the bench to score his 22nd international goal in just 36 matches.
Nigeria’s matchday 2 encounter with Rwanda in Kigali on September 11 ended goalless, though the Super Eagles should have claimed all three points.
Amavubi goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari delivered a man-of-the-match performance to thwart the Eagles, and the hosts also have referee Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour to thank for inexplicably ruling out Lookman’s first-half effort.
Interestingly, the draw was the fourth in six meetings between both sides, with three ending goalless.
All things considered, it’s been a positive start to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers for Nigeria, especially given the chaotic build-up to the September international window.
This being Nigerian football, however, drama wasn’t far away as Eguavoen briefly announced he was stepping down, only to reverse his decision 24 hours later.
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AFCON 2025Q Group D State of Play
As it stands, Nigeria are top of Group D with four points from two matches.
Benin follow with three points after a 2-1 win over Libya on matchday 2.
Rwanda remain unbeaten with two points from two draws, while Libya prop up the group with zero points.
Nigeria’s next fixtures are a doubleheader against Libya in October, with the first leg at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on October 11 and the return leg four days later.
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Elsewhere in the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Giants Thrive, Ghana Falter
Elsewhere, continental giants Algeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt and already qualified Morocco all made perfect starts to top their respective groups with six points. DR Congo have also won two from two.
Meanwhile, Senegal, after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser against Burkina Faso on matchday 1, rebounded with a 1-0 win in Burundi, leaving them level on four points but trailing Group L leaders Burkina Faso on head-to-head.
Cameroon and South Africa also find themselves in similar positions, with the Indomitable Lions trailing Group J leaders Kenya following a win and draw against Namibia and Zimbabwe, respectively. Meanwhile, Bayana Bayana drew at home against Group K leaders Uganda before edging South Sudan in a 3-2 thriller.
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Mali are also on four points in Group I after dropping points at home to leaders Mozambique before defeating Eswatini in Mbombela.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s precipitous decline in African football shows no sign of abating. The four-time African champions, who crashed out at the group stage of the 2023 AFCON, have managed just one point from their two opening qualifying matches for the 2025 edition.
The Black Stars opened with a 1-0 loss to Angola at home, sparking fan outrage, and could only manage a 1-1 draw with Niger in Niamey, leaving them five points behind Group F leaders Angola.
Action resumes in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in October.
The top two teams from each of the 12 qualification groups will qualify for the tournament, with Morocco already qualified automatically as hosts.
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