AFCON
Again, it is Dele-Bashiru to the rescue for the Super Eagles!
The Super Eagles of Nigeria survived a scare from the Mediterranean Knights of Libya before eventually securing a 1-0 win in Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series in Uyo on Friday evening.
The Libyans proved a hard nut to crack especially with their goalkeeper, Murad Abu Bakr Al Wuheesi who was in his best elements and made several saves.
Time after time, he frustrated many goal-scoring opportunities that were opened to the Super Eagles.
Also the Super Eagles missed many scoring chances that got the spectators edgy and Coach Austin Eguavoen frustrated. The first scoring opportunity was in the 10th minute when a rebound found Alex Iwobi, but his shot was smothered by the Libyan goalkeeper.
Six minutes later, it was Victor Boniface’s turn to squander another goal opportunity. Next was the skipper, William Troost-Ekong getting another rebound, but he shot wide.
With the clock ticking and the Benin Republic in a simultaneous duel with Rwanda coasting comfortably home with a 3-0 defeat of Rwanda, the Super Eagles had to do everything to score against Libya.
At that point, Benin are taken over the leadership of Group D having amassed six points as against Nigeria’s five in a live table as the matches were on, desperation set in.
In the 83rd minute, Ademola Lookman found the net, but his effort was ruled offside. Four minutes later, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru connected a cross from Moses Simon to shoot Nigeria back into the top of Group D.
Dele-Bashiru was the one who helped Nigeria salvage a point in their World Cup qualifying duel with South Africa in Uyo last June.
Nigeria now travel to Libya to face Libya in a matchday encounter on Tuesday.
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 23rd 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
AFCON
Osimhen saves the face of already qualified Super Eagles as Group D 2nd ticket goes down the wire!
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
Against Benin and officiated by Issa Sy, Osimhen equals Segun Odegbami’s feat
Osimhen saves the face of already qualified Super Eagles as Group D 2nd ticket goes down the wire!
Bukola Olopade is Director-General, National Sports Commission
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