A late goal from Victor Osimhen saved the day for the Super Eagles who forced a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan which had hitherto become Benin Republic’s slaughter ground of visiting teams.

After a ferocious opening by the Super Eagles, the Benin Republic suddenly turned the tide as defender Mohammed Tijani surged forward to beat the Nigerian defence line in the 16th minute.

With the goal, it was the first time that the Super Eagles had conceded in the series and it looked as if Benin had also picked a ticket, moving to a 9-point haul that would have been unassailable by either Rwanda and Libya even if they win their respective last matches on Monday.

As they held on tenaciously to the lead, Victor Osimhen leaped high in between two Beninese defenders to nod in a cross from Simon Moses from the left flank.

That changed the narrative as Benin will now have to play hard to pick a qualification ticket on Monday when they meet Libya.

But it is still advantage for Benin Republic owing to their better goal difference. Even if they are beaten by Libya and tie at seven points apiece, Libya will need a heavy scoreline to wipe off their current deficit of four.

The second ticket from Group D is still open to the trio of Benin, Rwanda and Libya. But it is advantageous Benin. All could end up with seven points apiece if Libya beat Benin Republic and Rwanda beat Nigeria in Uyo.

The matchday 4 of Libya and Nigeria was akin to a war as the Super Eagles were literally held hostage for 20 hours at an abandoned airport. The treatment meted to the Super Eagles made it impossible for the match to go on.

The Libyan actions generated global outrage. The Confederation of Africa (CAF) consequently awarded the match to Nigeria.

Paradoxically, the award and Libya’s win over Rwanda have taken a lot of burden off the Super Eagles as they pick qualification tickets, even with two matches to spare. The worst-case scenario for them is to place second on the Group D log.

  Libya snatched a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, thanks to a late strike by Fahd Saad Mohamed.

The game was closely contested, with both sides creating chances but struggling to find the back of the net. 

Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti came close on several occasions, but Libyan goalkeeper Bader Hassan stood firm.

The win pushed Libya up to four points, although they remain at the bottom of Group D, while Rwanda stays in third with five points

South Sudan overcame Congo in a five-goal spectacle in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday, helping Uganda and South Africa to qualify for the tournament to be played in Morocco next year.

In an action-packed game at Juba National Stadium, South Sudan edged Congo 3-2 in Group K to secure their first points of the qualifying campaign.

The home side showed resilience, overturning a 2-1 deficit to secure a crucial victory and spark massive jubilation among the home fans.

The Group K result means, Uganda leads the group with 10 points, followed by South Africa with eight. South Sudan’s victory brings them to three points, just behind Congo on four points.

With just one match remaining, third-placed Congo cannot overtake Uganda and South Africa paving the way for the top two countries to qualify for the 2025 TotalEnergies AFCON in Morocco.

It was Congo that showed the determination to win the match and opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Christopher Ibayi headed home from close range.

South Sudan quickly responded through Ebon Malish in the 31st minute, leveling the game with a powerful header.

However, Congo regained their lead just four minutes later, as Ibayi scored his second with a well-taken shot from a tight angle.

South Sudan fought back fiercely, and Malish equalized once again in the 45+2′ minute, heading in a cross from William Gama.

With momentum on their side, South Sudan continued to press in the second half. The turning point came in the 78th minute, as Bryan Passi of Congo received a red card, reducing the visitors to 10 men.

In the 84th minute, substitute Data Elly scored the winning goal with a clinical finish, securing South Sudan’s first win of the campaign.

This result boosts their standings, as they now sit one point behind Congo in Group K.