Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda all booked spots at the next Africa Cup of Nations finals on Thursday, some without even playing in the latest qualifiers.

Tunisia snatched a stoppage time goal from Ali El Abdi’s diving header to edge Madagascar 3-2 in neutral Pretoria and make sure they will finish in the top two places in Group A.

That extended to 18 their record run of successive appearances at the finals, to be hosted in Morocco next year.

A 1-0 win for Libya away in Rwanda meant Nigeria were guaranteed a top two finish in Group D one hour before they kicked off their own match against Benin in Abidjan, but the Super Eagles were then held to a 1-1 draw.

Defender Mohamed Tijani’s 16th minute goal put Benin on course to qualify but they will now have to wait after a late equaliser from Victor Osimhen spared Nigeria’s blushes.

Gabon qualified from Group B when their closest challengers, the Central African Republic, went down 1-0 to Lesotho. The result confirmed a top two finish for Gabon with two games still to play

South Africa and Uganda also advanced without kicking a ball and are assured the top two places in Group K after Congo lost 3-2 in South Sudan.

It was the first points of the campaign for Africa’s newest country, who scored a late winner in Juba from Data Elly.

Algeria dropped their first points of the campaign as they were held to a goalless drew away by Equatorial Guinea in stifling heat in Malabo. Both teams were already sure of their place at the tournament in Morocco, which is from Dec. 21, 2025 to Jan. 18, 2026.

Two sides advance to the finals from each of the 12 qualifying groups with Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Morocco and Senegal having booked their berths before Thursday’s matches.

Senegal beat Burkina Faso 1-0 away in their top of the table clash in Group L.

On Friday, the qualifiers continue with 10 matches around the continent. Home success will see Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe join the list of finalists.

-Reuters

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

13 November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 1st goal: Nigeria 1-1 Benin Republic; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal

14 November 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 23rd goal: Benin Republic 1-1 Nigeria; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal

Victor Osimhen’s 81st-minute goal against the Benin Republic on Thursday night in Abidjan did not only save the face of the Super Eagles from a possible defeat, it is also a milestone goal.

It was his 23^rd goal for Nigeria in 37 appearances. With the goal, he becomes Nigeria’s joint-second all-time top scorer, having matched Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record.

Only Rashidi Yekini with 37 goals scored more. Incidentally, Osimhen opened his scoring for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Benin Republic in 2019 when he scored his first Nigerian goal, a penalty kick that brought the scoreline to 1-1 in the 45th minute.

Like it was on Thursday 14 November in Abidjan, the 13 November 2019  Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic was also refereed by Senegal’s Issa Sy.

What an irony! Libya handed Nigeria AFCON ticket

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.